ABSTRACT
We evaluated the High Resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT) findings in young patients (< 40 years) infected with the COVID 19 virus and tried to find out any difference in the severity of lung involvement between the first and second wave of the pandemic and whether the notion of young population being more severely affected by the second wave holds true. Two-hundred (200) young patients (<40 years) with RT PCR documented COVID infections undergoing HRCT chest at our institute were included. Group A included young patients infected in the first wave (up to 28 February 2021) while Group B included patients beyond this date. Demographic and clinical data was obtained from the medical records department. HRCT scans were retrieved from the archive and were assessed by two radiologists or CT severity scoring. The mean severity scores were calculated and any statistical difference between Group A and B was sought. CT scans of four fully vaccinated patients were also evaluated.The age and gender distribution among the two groups was comparable. A greater number of patients in group B required hospital admission compared to group A (74% VS 53%). In group A, the mean severity score was 10.1 +/- 2.1 with 34 patients (34%) in mild category, 46 patients (46%) in moderate group and 20 patients (20%) in the severe group. In group B, the mean CT severity score was 12.6 +/- 2.3 with 20 patients (20%) in mild category, 42 patients (42%) in moderate group and 38 patients (38%) in the severe group.Lung involvement in young patients in the second wave is more severe requiring more hospital admissions. Vaccinated population may well have a milder form of the disease.
ABSTRACT
The coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) outbreak represents a thankfully rare yet extremely salient incident that had an adverse effect on individuals, families, and societies throughout the world. COVID-19 has the highest infectivity and spreading rate as compared to other human coronaviruses. SARS-CoV-2 was recognized as the disease causative agent that initially targets humans' respiratory system that may lead to multi-organ failure and death. To date, COVID-19 spread to 220 countries/regions of the world, including Pakistan. This study aimed to examine the prevalence of COVID-19 among the general population in District Mardan of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan. A total of 4199 suspected individuals (2898 were males, and 1301 were females) were screened through RT-PCR. The age of suspected individuals was ranging from 10-90 years, and the average age was found 42 +/- 20.8 years. Among all suspected individuals, 753 were SARS-CoV-2 positive and diagnosed with COVID-19. Among the positive individuals, 500 (66%) were males, and 253 (34%) were females. The overall prevalence was found at 17.93%. Most of the SARS-CoV-2 positive individuals were belonging to age -group 31 to 40 (n=182), followed by age-group 21 to 30 (n=166). The prevalence of COVID-19 in the Mardan district is very high and needs WHO recommended SOPs to control the spread of COVID-19.