| dc.description.abstract | Purpose: To investigate the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of COVID-19 patients with
abnormal imaging findings.
Methods: Patients confirmed with SARS-CoV-2 infection in Zhejiang province from January 17 to February
8 who had undergone CT or X-ray were enrolled. Epidemiological and clinical data were analyzed among
those with abnormal or normal imaging findings.
Results: Excluding 72 patients with normal images, 230 of 573 patients showed abnormalities affecting
more than two lung lobes. The median radiographic score was 2.0, and there was a negative correlation
between that score and the oxygenation index (r = 0.657, P < 0.001). Patients with abnormal images
were older (46.65 13.82), with a higher rate of coexisting condition (28.8%), a lower rate of exposure
history, and longer time between onset and confirmation (5 days) than non-pneumonia patients (all P <
0.05). A higher rate of fever, cough, expectoration and headache, a lower level of lymphocytes, albumin,
and serum sodium levels and a higher total bilirubin, creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, and Creactive protein levels and a lower oxygenation index were observed in pneumonia patients (all P < 0.05).
Muscle ache, shortness of breath, nausea and vomiting, lower lymphocytes levels, and higher serum
creatinine and radiographic score at admission were predictive factors for the severe/critical subtype.
Conclusion: Patients with abnormal images have more obvious clinical manifestations and laboratory
changes. Combing clinical features and radiographic scores can effectively predict severe/critical types. | |
