Abstract
BackgroundFollowing COVID-19 pandemic, clinical description focused on the clinical presentation of patients in the acute stage of the disease. More recently, data have emerged that some patients continue to experience symptoms related to COVID-19 after the acute phase of infection has subsided (post-COVID syndrome). Although characteristics of post-COVID syndrome have been well described, less is known about the possible invitations during acute illnesses that can predict such syndrome. Our study is a prospective study aiming at assessment of CT severity scoring in the acute phase of COVID-19 pneumonia as a predictor for development of post-COVID syndrome in recovering patients.ResultsA total of 192 symptomatic COVID-19 patients between April 2020 and October 2020 were enrolled in this single-center study, and high-resolution chest CT examinations were evaluated for CT severity scoring. Data were matched with the long-term clinical outcome. CT severity score was significantly higher in patients who developed post-COVID symptoms (p < 0.001). A CT score of > 7 was associated with an increased risk and was found to be predictive of condition development with sensitivity (95.9%), specificity (96%), positive predictive value (95.92%), negative predictive value (96%), and accuracy (95.96%).ConclusionsCT severity scoring can help in predicting the long-term outcome of COVID-19 patients with cutoff value of CT-SSS > 7 showing highest sensitivity and specificity for predicting development of post-COVID syndrome.
Highlights
Following COVID-19 pandemic, clinical description focused on the clinical presentation of patients in the acute stage of the disease
We report our experience on a cohort of symptomatic patients who underwent high-resolution chest Computed tomography (CT) following chest clinic and emergency room clinical triage
Clinical scoring for disease severity was established following the criteria provided by the Chinese Center of Disease Control (CDC) [9]: mild disease including non-pneumonia or mild pneumonia (mild symptoms without dyspnea; respiratory frequency < 30/min; blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) > 93%); severe disease including dyspnea; and critical disease including adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) or respiratory failure, septic shock, and/or multiple organ dysfunction (MOD) or failure (MOF)
Summary
Following COVID-19 pandemic, clinical description focused on the clinical presentation of patients in the acute stage of the disease. Data have emerged that some patients continue to experience symptoms related to COVID-19 after the acute phase of infection has subsided (post-COVID syndrome). Our study is a prospective study aiming at assessment of CT severity scoring in the acute phase of COVID-19 pneumonia as a predictor for development of post-COVID syndrome in recovering patients. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was firstly described in Wuhan, China, during December 2019 in a series of 41 patients presenting with unspecified forms of pneumonias [1]. Data have emerged that some patients continue to experience symptoms related to COVID-19 after the acute phase of. Atypical chest CT findings include central upper lobe predominance, masses, nodules, cavitations, tree-inbud sign, lymphadenopathy, and pleural effusion [5]. The score (CTSSS) is an adaptation of a method previously used during the SARS epidemic of 2005 [8]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Egyptian Journal of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
