Frontiers in Endocrinology (Jun 2024)

CT semi-quantitative score used as risk factor for hyponatremia in patients with COVID-19: a cross-sectional study

  • Baofeng Wu,
  • Baofeng Wu,
  • Ru Li,
  • Ru Li,
  • Jinxuan Hao,
  • Jinxuan Hao,
  • Yijie Qi,
  • Yijie Qi,
  • Botao Liu,
  • Hongxia Wei,
  • Hongxia Wei,
  • Zhe Li,
  • Zhe Li,
  • Yi Zhang,
  • Yunfeng Liu

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2024.1342204
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 15

Abstract

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PurposeChest computed tomography (CT) is used to determine the severity of COVID-19 pneumonia, and pneumonia is associated with hyponatremia. This study aims to explore the predictive value of the semi-quantitative CT visual score for hyponatremia in patients with COVID-19 to provide a reference for clinical practice.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, 343 patients with RT-PCR confirmed COVID-19, all patients underwent CT, and the severity of lung lesions was scored by radiologists using the semi-quantitative CT visual score. The risk factors of hyponatremia in COVID-19 patients were analyzed and combined with laboratory tests. The thyroid function changes caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection and their interaction with hyponatremia were also analyzed.ResultsIn patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection, the total severity score (TSS) of hyponatremia was higher [M(range), 3.5(2.5–5.5) vs 3.0(2.0–4.5) scores, P=0.001], implying that patients with hyponatremia had more severe lung lesions. The risk factors of hyponatremia in the multivariate regression model included age, vomiting, neutrophils, platelet, and total severity score. SARS-CoV-2 infection impacted thyroid function, and patients with hyponatremia showed a lower free triiodothyronine (3.1 ± 0.9 vs 3.7 ± 0.9, P=0.001) and thyroid stimulating hormone level [1.4(0.8–2.4) vs 2.2(1.2–3.4), P=0.038].ConclusionSemi-quantitative CT score can be used as a risk factor for hyponatremia in patients with COVID-19. There is a weak positive correlation between serum sodium and free triiodothyronine in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

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