Relationship between High Resolution CT Chest and Laboratory Parameters- An Assessment Tool for the Safe and Timely Management of Suspected/Confirmed Covid-19 Disease Patients

Abstract

Objective: To assess the relationship between radiological findings and laboratory parameters, for safe andtimely management of COVID-19 disease patients.Study Design: Retrospective observational study.Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at COVID-19 isolation ward of Frontier Corps Hospital, Quetta, from April 15th to June 30th, 2020.Materials and Methods: Suspected COVID-19 (on the basis of history) patients, from April 15th to June 30th ,2020, were included in the study. Laboratory parameters including, Neutrophils, Lymphocytes, C-ReactiveProtein (CRP) were retrospectively collected from medical records. Severity of lung changes on high resolutionchest CT was scored according to the lung involvement (CO-RADS score 1-6). Spearman rank correlation wasused to evaluate the relationship between CO-RADS score and laboratory parameters.Results: A total of 50 patients (mean age 34.7+6.46 years [standard deviation]; age range, 23-49 years) wereevaluated. The patients underwent a total of 150 CT scans chest. CO-RADS was significantly co-related withneutrophils count at day 1 (r=0.93, p-value < 0.001), day 5 (r=0.47, p-value=0.001), day 14 (r=0.94, p value<0.001), lymphocytes count at day 1 (r=0.15, p-value<0.001), day 5 (r=0.90, p-value<0.001), day 14(r=0.83, p-value=0.004), CRP at day 1 (r=0.90, p-value=0.001), day 5 (r=0.36, p-value=0.011) and at day 14(r=0.93, p-value=0.001).Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the severity of lung involvement on high resolution CT (HRCT) chest positively correlate with laboratory parameters. The study provides an insight into the appropriateinterval of chest CT to reduce radiation and promote timely management of COVID-19 patients.