Comparison of Clinical, Laboratory and Radiological Findings in Iranian Smokers and non- Smokers Patients with COVID-19: A Case Control Study

Abstract

Objective: The current study compared the clinical, laboratory and radiological findings between groups of smokers and non- smokers Iranian patients with COVID-19. Methods: This was a case-control study done on 120 patients with COVID-19 that were admitted to Baqiyatallah hospital, Tehran, Iran during March to May 2020. Our patients were categorized into two groups: smokers (40 patients) and non-smokers (80 age and sex matched controls). Demographic and clinical characteristics, laboratory findings, imaging manifestations, and outcomes were compared between two age groups. Results: Regarding the comorbidities, no significant difference was observed between the smoker and non-smoker patients. The distribution of COVID-19 symptoms was not significantly different between smokers and non-smokers, except for chest pain and weakness, which were significantly more common in smokers with COVID-19. A significantly lower white blood cell count and neutrophils in peripheral blood sample of smokers however, no difference was found concerning lymphocyte count. Moreover, the RDW of smokers was significantly lower. Regarding the findings on CT scan of COVID-19 patients, no significant difference was found between smoker and non-smoker COVID-19 patients. One (2.5%) of deaths occurred in the smoker and 3 (3.8%) occurred in the non- smoker groups.Conclusion: Current findings showed that the clinical picture of smoker and non-smoker COVID-19 patients does not differ significantly.

Risk factors prediction, clinical outcomes, and mortality in COVID‐19 patients

“…We did not find a study regarding sweating, and to the best of our knowledge, this is the first work to report this. Nikpouraghdam et al 31 suggested an association between weakness and COVID-19 that is the same as our data but is in contrast with the findings of Shi et al 17 Shivering is observed in the cohort of COVID-19, which is reported by Zhu et al 32 too. Fatigue is significantly related with COVID-19 in our cohort which confirms the findings of Qin et al 27 but is in contrast to the findings of Liang et al, 23 Tian et al, 25 Lei et al, 33 and Yan et al 34 A dry cough is reported by Du et al 35 to be related with COVID-19, which is similar with our findings, while such an association is not found by Qin et al, 27 Lei et al, 33 and Shi et al 17 Anorexia is found to be a significant symptom for COVID-19 in our study.…”

Risk Factors Prediction, Clinical Outcomes, and Mortality of COVID-19 Patients

“…We did not find study regarding sweating, and to best of our knowledge, this is the first work to report this. Nikpouraghdam et al [29] suggested an association between weakness and COVID-19 that is the same with our data but is in contrast with the findings of Shi et al [17]. Shivering is observed in the cohort of COVID-19, which is reported by Zhu et al [30] too.…”

Radiological Differences in COVID-19 Related Lung Manifestations Between Smokers and Non-smokers: A Single-Center Retrospective Study in Jordan

“…Radiological imaging techniques, such as computed tomography (CT) scans, have been instrumental in identifying and monitoring the evolution of COVID-19-related lung damage [ 2 ]. Radiological differences between smokers and non-smokers with COVID-19-related lung damage have been the subject of recent research [ 8 , 9 ]. This is because smoking can cause a loss of lung elastic recoil pressure, leading to reduced lung function and increased amenability to respiratory infections, including COVID-19 [ 10 ].…”

“…Additionally, the study observed a slightly lower mortality rate among smokers compared to non-smokers. Overall, the study sheds light on the impact of smoking on clinical outcomes in COVID-19 patients, but further research is needed to fully understand the relationship between smoking and COVID-19 [ 8 ].…”