Variations in Clinical Parameters of Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19

ABSTRACT

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) also known as COVID19, is a newly discovered virus that has been recently isolated from humans. A number of researches with special emphasis on its clinical and epidemiological parameters are being carried out in various parts of the world. Aim: To analyze and evaluate the clinical, laboratory and chest x ray findings of Covid-19 cases, admitted at a recently established Corona Unit of Farooq Hospital West Wood Lahore, Pakistan. Study Design: Retrospective study Methods: The current study included a total of 105 COVID-19 positive cases from 9th April to 27th May 2020. 94 cases were confirmed on the basis of laboratory values whereas 11 were diagnosed based on their clinical characteristics. Results: Of all 105 patients admitted, 94(89.50%) were detected as laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia with nasopharyngeal swab samples that were positive for SARS-CoV-2, whereas 11 (10.50%) were confirmed on clinical grounds. The mean age was 48.18 that ranged from 12 to 78 years. Majority were male patients (78.1%). Only 3 (2.9%) patients had recent travel history of abroad. The most common comorbidities were Hypertension (49.39%) and Diabetes Mellitus (43.37%). The most common symptoms (fever, dry cough, and tiredness) were observed in 29.5%, serious symptoms (shortness of breath, chest pain or pressure, and loss of speech or movement) in 40% and only few cases with acute respiratory distress syndrome. The mean systolic blood pressure recorded was 122.8 +/- 12.85 mm Hg and mean diastolic blood pressure 79.29 +/- 9.96. The mean oxygen saturation levels were 94.30 +/- 5.063. The mean value for chest x ray scoring was 7,50 +/- 5.6. The laboratory values were taken into account and elevated levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) were reported in 65.75% and procalcitonin levels in 58% of the patients. Higher polymorph leukocytes count was observed in 34 (33%) whereas 40 cases (38.83%) of COVID-19 patients had lymphopenia. D-dimers, AST, ALT levels were raised in 79.68%, 47.2% and 58.3% of patients, respectively. Higher levels of serum ferritin were seen in 61.4% of cases. Conclusion: The clinical, laboratory and radiological findings may play pivotal role in early detection of positive COVID-19 cases and thus help in timely therapeutics management.