Abstract
Background: The usefulness of Lung Ultrasound (LUS) for the diagnosis of interstitial syndrome caused by COVID-19 has been broadly described. The aim of this study was to evaluate if LUS may predict the complications (hospital admission) of COVID-19 pneumonia in primary care patients. Methods: This observational study collects data from a cohort of 279 patients with clinical symptoms of COVID-19 pneumonia who attended the Balaguer Primary Health Care Area between 16 March 2020 and 30 September 2020. We collected the results of LUS scans reported by one general practitioner. We created a database and analysed the absolute and relative frequencies of LUS findings and their association with hospital admission. We found that different LUS patterns (diffuse, attenuated diffuse, and predominantly unilateral) were risk factors for hospital admission (p < 0.05). Additionally, an evolutionary pattern during the acute phase represented a risk factor (p = 0.0019). On the contrary, a normal ultrasound pattern was a protective factor (p = 0.0037). Finally, the presence of focal interstitial pattern was not associated with hospital admission (p = 0.4918). Conclusion: The lung ultrasound was useful to predict complications in COVID-19 pneumonia and to diagnose other lung diseases such as cancer, tuberculosis, pulmonary embolism, chronic interstitial pneumopathy, pleuropericarditis, pneumonia or heart failure.
Highlights
The recent COVID-19 virus emerged in China in December 2019
Likewise, during the months of February and March 2020, some publications pointed out the usefulness of lung ultrasound (LUS) to diagnose interstitial syndrome caused by COVID-19 [7,8]
The inclusion criteria were: (a) older than 18 years; (b) availability of ultrasound pulmonary imaging; (c) confirmed or suspected COVID-19 infection defined by the existence of, at least, one of the symptoms compatible with COVID-19 pneumonia; (d) availability of biological tests; and (e) consent to participate in the study
Summary
The recent COVID-19 virus emerged in China in December 2019. On 11 March 2020, theWorld Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic [1]. During the month of February 2020, different studies reported that the most frequent complication in COVID-19 infection was interstitial pneumonia [4,5,6]. Likewise, during the months of February and March 2020, some publications pointed out the usefulness of lung ultrasound (LUS) to diagnose interstitial syndrome caused by COVID-19 [7,8]. The aim of this study was to evaluate if LUS may predict the complications (hospital admission) of COVID-19 pneumonia in primary care patients. Methods: This observational study collects data from a cohort of 279 patients with clinical symptoms of COVID-19 pneumonia who attended the Balaguer Primary Health Care Area between 16 March 2020 and 30 September 2020. We found that different LUS patterns (diffuse, attenuated diffuse, and predominantly unilateral) were risk factors for hospital admission (p < 0.05).
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