The Study Of The Correlation Between Clinical Characteristics And Chest CT Findings In Symptomatic And Asymptomatic Patients Affected With Covid-19
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Abstract
Background: COVID-19 can be symptomaticand asymptomatic in patients. The evaluation and treatment of asymptomatic patients is a critical component in halting or slowing the spread of the disease.
Objectives: To investigate the correlation between clinical characteristics and chest CT findings in symptomatic and asymptomatic Covid-19 patients.
Methods: A total of 458 COVID-19 patients, positive chest CT and RT-PCR were included retrospectively. Demographic, signs, and symptoms as well as CT imaging characteristics were recorded and compared between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients who had no comorbidities.
Results: Of the 458 SARS-CoV-2 cases, 383 (83.6%) were symptomatic and 75 (16.4%) were asymptomatic cases. There was no significant gender difference between the two groups. Compared to the symptomatic group, the asymptomatic patients were younger (P = 0.000). The most common symptoms among the symptomatic patients were fever 306 (66.8%) and cough 242 (52.8%). CT imaging revealed Ground-Glass Opacities (GGO) was the most common pattern inboth asymptomatic and symptomatic patients(69.3% and 62.7%, respectively)and it was present alone or with consolidation. Symptomatic patients showed considerably higher peripheral and central distribution, compared to asymptomatic patients, 200 (52.2%) vs 20 (26.7%). While, the peripheral distribution was significantly higher in asymptomatic patients, 53 (70.7%) vs 177 (46.2%).
Conclusions: Asymptomatic COVID-19 infections may be silent with significant clinical risk due to possible delayed symptoms and a high proportion of positive chest CT imaging findings. A combination of RT-PCR testing and chest CT can be used for the optimum identification of infected asymptomatic patients.
Summary: A combination of RT-PCR and chest CT scan distinguished the presence of chest findings in symptomatic and asymptomatic covid-19 patients who had no comorbidities.