Prevalence and factors associated with radiological alterations in patients with mild SARS-COV-2 infection: Cross-sectional study at a private clinic in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Abstract

Introduction: The SARS-COV-2 infection has been characterized by the heterogeneity in the clinical presentation. The knowledge development, as well as the availability of resources have modified the way to evaluate patients. During 2020 in argentina, the realization of chest images was a routine practice regardless of the clinical condition. Objectives: To explore the associated factors that determine the radiological alteration in patients with the diagnostic suspicion of a mild SARS- COV-2 infection and to estimate their prevalence. Methods: Cross-sectional study between March and October 2020 in patients with mild infection suspicion and later confirmation through the PCR study. Results: 687 patients were recruited. The prevalence in the whole population was 16% for chest radiography and 14% for Scans. The presence of tachycardia (p:0,016), oxygen saturation lower than 94% breathing environmental air (p:0,03) and more than 5 days from the beginning of symptoms (0,03) result into factors associated with the findings of imaging alterations. Conclusions: In patients with a mild condition who consult within 5 days from the beginning of the symptoms, without tachycardia and without oxygen requirement, the realization of lung imaging would not be recommended due to the scarce possibility of pathological findings.