Correlation of Disease Severity with High-Resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT) Severity Scores in COVID-19 Patients - A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: To determine the relationship of High-Resolution Computed Tomography Chest Severity Scores with disease severity in COVID-19 patients. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Pak-Emirates Military Hospital, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Oct to Dec 2021. Methodology: The study included 173 symptomatic patients with positive COVID polymerase chain reaction. All patients underwent high-resolution computed tomography chest scans and were given severity scores (from 0 to 40) based on the number of lung segments involved. Disease severity was assessed based on oxygen saturation at room air, C-reactive protein levels, and morality on the 21st day. High-resolution chest computed tomography scores were compared with parameters of disease severity. Results: Out of a total of 173 patients, 139(80%) were male, and 34(20%) were female, with a mean age of 62.79±13.87 years (17- 92 years). Chest computed tomography severity scores were positively correlated with C-reactive protein levels and mortality on the 21st day (p<0.001). Oxygen saturation at room air decreased with increased involvement in chest scans. Conclusion: Our data suggested that high-resolution computed tomography scores are highly correlated with disease severity and patient outcomes, particularly mortality, in Coronavirus patients

Keywords

• COVID-19
• Disease Severity
• High resolution computed tomography (HRCT) severity score