Retrospective analysis of clinical characteristics and laboratory results of COVID-19 patients

Abstract

The positive detection of SARS-CoV-2 is the “gold standard” for diagnosing COVID-19. However, due to the low detection capacity of SARS-CoV-2 and the high false negative rate at the beginning of the epidemic, and the medical staff did not know much about the condition and treatment of COVID-19 patients. Therefore, our hospital paid more attention to the results of other laboratory indicators in the early stage of the epidemic of COVID-19. The aim of this study was to explore clinical characteristics and laboratory results of COVID-19 patients in Wuhan, China and provide evidence for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. Retrospective study of 562 COVID-19 patients hospitalized in Wuhan Red Cross Hospital from January 28 to March 12, 2020 was performed. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to the severity of illness: Mild group (n = 436) and Severe group (n = 126). The general clinical characteristics of the patients were collected, including age, gender, past medical history, clinical symptoms, etc. All patients underwent blood routine test, biochemical indicators, blood gas analysis and other related laboratory examinations. The clinical data and laboratory results of the two groups were compared. Compared with the patients in the Mild group, the patients in Severe group were older and the proportion of patients suffering from underlying disease (61.11%) was higher (p < 0.05). In Severe group, WBC, NEUT, NLR, PCT, CRP, IL-6, ESR, CK, CK-MB, Mb, cTnI, D-D, Fib, and PaCO2 of patients had higher values, while the levels of LYMPH, HBG, PLT, PO2, and SaO2 were significantly reduced, and the differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Between Severe group and Mild group, there was no significant difference in other indexes such as ALT, Urea, and Cr (p > 0.05) or in the positive rate of influenza A, B virus, or other respiratory pathogens by pairwise comparison (p > 0.05). Viral infection and inflammation were more serious in elderly patients or patients with underlying diseases. They were more likely to progress to severely ill patients. Clinical manifestations and laboratory examinations were important basis for clinical classification and treatment. Therefore, Timely and accurate attention to these indicators is beneficial to prevent the deterioration of the disease.