A Meta‐Analysis of 67 Studies with Presenting Symptoms and Laboratory Tests of COVID‐19 Patients

Abstract

Objectives/Hypothesis: The objective of this meta-analysis was to look at the pooled prevalence of symptoms, laboratory tests, and imaging of all COVID-19 infected patients. This will allow better identification of potential COVID-19 patients and take appropriate precautions.Study design: Meta analysis. Methods: We searched three databases, PubMed, EMBASE, and Ovid to identify studies published between Dec-2019 and May-2020. All studies reporting upper-aerodigestive symptoms of COVID-19 infection were included. The meta-analysis was conducted following meta-analyses of observational studies in epidemiology (MOOSE) guidelines, which have evaluated the pooled prevalence of 14 symptoms and nine laboratory investigations.Results: Based on inclusion criteria, 67 publications consisting of 8302 patients were included. Among adults, the pooled proportion of hypertensive and diabetic patients was 18% and 7%. Cough (53% [0.46-0.61]), anosmia (38% [0.19-0.58]), loss/distortion of taste (31% [0.17-0.45]), and nasal obstruction (26% [0.12-0.39]) were the most common ear, nose & throat (ENT) symptoms. Fever (69% [0.62-0.76]) and fatigue (31% [0.26-0.37]) were the commonest generalized symptoms. C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were raised in 56% (0.41-0.71) and 49% (0.21-0.77), respectively. Interestingly, lymphopenia (41% [0.30-0.53]) and leucopenia (22% [0.16-0.29]) were more common than lymphocytosis (33% [0.02-0.64]) and leucocytosis (12% [0.09-0.16]). Fever (69% vs. 44%), cough (53% vs. 33%), and dyspnea (20% vs. 4%) were more common in adults as compared to the pediatric population. Diarrhea was more common among the pediatric cases (12%) versus (9%). The pooled estimate of fatality was 4%.Conclusions: The most commonly experienced ENT symptom was cough followed by anosmia and dysguesia. Raised ESR and CRP with leukopenia and lymphopenia are common laboratory findings. Majority of the infected patients had abnormal computed tomography findings. COVID infection is less severe in pediatric patients.

Evaluation of indoor hospital acclimatization of body temperature before COVID-19 fever screening

“…Fever has been widely reported as one of the most frequent symptoms in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 . In a recent meta-analysis of 67 studies and 8302 COVID-19 patients, above normal body temperature was observed in over twothirds of positive cases (69%; 95% confidence interval [95%CI], 62-76%) [1]. Similar rates of fever were reported in a parallel meta-analysis based on 76 studies and totalling 11,028 COVID-19 patients across multiple countries (72%; 95%CI, 67-78%) [2], as well as in another meta-analysis of 71 articles involving 11,671 children with COVID-19 (56%; 95%CI, 50-51%) [3].…”

Virus-associated ribozymes and nano carriers against COVID-19

“…The symptoms were mostly related to respiratory symptoms including fever, cough, difficulty in breathing, loss of sense of smell or taste, gasping, fatigue and diarrhoea. In more severe cases, symptoms such as acute respiratory failure, pneumonia, persistent chest pain or pressure have been observed [6,16,17]. A meta-analysis study on the prevalence of COVID-19 symptoms in adults demonstrated the prevalence of symptoms in the systemic, respiratory, ear, nose, throat, gastrointestinal, eyes and central nervous system [6].…”

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“…Fever/chills, cough, shortness of breath/difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle/body aches, headache, sore throat, nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea and loss of taste/ smell are features of COVID-19 [1]. Pediatric patients generally show milder symptoms than adults, and typical symptoms include cough, sore throat, fever, and/or diarrhea [1,2].…”

“…Fever/chills, cough, shortness of breath/difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle/body aches, headache, sore throat, nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea and loss of taste/ smell are features of COVID-19 [1]. Pediatric patients generally show milder symptoms than adults, and typical symptoms include cough, sore throat, fever, and/or diarrhea [1,2]. Current best estimates show up to 40% of infectious individuals including both adults and children may be clinically asymptomatic, though it is known children are asymptomatic at higher rates [1,3].…”

“…Pediatric patients generally show milder symptoms than adults, and typical symptoms include cough, sore throat, fever, and/or diarrhea [1,2]. Current best estimates show up to 40% of infectious individuals including both adults and children may be clinically asymptomatic, though it is known children are asymptomatic at higher rates [1,3]. Smell and taste dysfunction related to the neurotropic characteristics of COVID-19 received much attention as diagnostically significant presenting symptoms.…”