Correlation of the severity of HRCT findings with the other hematologic parameters & viral load in patients with confirmed COVID – 19 Infection

Abstract

Background: The latter half of 2019 saw the spread of a highly contagious and fatal respiratory tract disease originating in the Hubei province of Wuhan in China which was labelled as COVID 19. Although a multi organ disease, it is seen to spread through the respiratory tract with lung being the primary target.\nAims and Objective: The study was conducted to correlate the severity of lung involvement as assessed by the HRCT severity, with the Viral Severity index, laboratory parameters, duration of hospital stay, viral clearance and resolution of lung symptoms.\nMaterials and Methods: An observational retrospective study was carried out from the laboratory records of consecutive 208 patients admitted to the tertiary care hospital between March 2020 to May 2020.\nResults: Out of a total of 208 patients, 200(96%) recovered and 8(4%) expired. The expired patients showed a higher average age (50.79+/- 17.42; 62.25+/-12.37) years in the recovered & expired patients respectively (p=0.06). A longer duration of hospital stay was seen in the expired patients (15.05+/-9.55&18.62+/-10.22) days in the recovered & expired patients respectively. A low average (Hemoglobin) Hb values (12.17+/-2.01&10.9+/-2.31) g/dl in the recovered and expired patients respectively along with a higher total WBC count was seen in the expired patients (8.62+/-3.81& 16.86+/-12.79) k/U in the recovered and expired patients with a highly significant p value of < 0.001). Higher CT severity scores were seen in the expired patients (10.74+/-5.57&17.12+/-6.55) in the recovered and expired patients respectively (p=0.0018). None of the expired patients had a normal D Dimer level. HRCT values and the Rising D Dimer levels tend to show a positive correlation with the disease outcome and progression. The Higher Viral severity and HRCT score was associated with a longer duration of hospital stay reflecting a higher duration of viral clearance.\nConclusion: The Chest CT scores along with the laboratory parameters like the total WBC count and the D Dimer levels can together act as important parameters to monitor the Covid 19 disease course.