Laboratory markers and radiological manifestations of the new coronavirus infection and their correlation with the severity of the disease: retrospective study

OBJECTIVE: Assess the connection between clinical, laboratory and radiological manifestations of the new coronavirus infection.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study conducted a retrospective analysis of 100 patient medical histories, treated in Saint Petersburg State Budgetary Healthcare Institution «the Holy Martyr George Hospital» with confirmed diagnosis «Coronavirus infection COVID-19, the virus is identified». A statistical analysis of clinical laboratory values was carried out based on severity of COVID-19 course and infiltrative changes of lung tissue by computed tomography data. Statistics. Statistical analysis of the data was held using PC and set of software StatPlus 8.0.
RESULTS: Depending on the nature of COVID-19 course, the comparison of clinical laboratory data among patients (average age 63,5 [19–98]) found that with increase in severity of the disease (mild – moderate − severe) there were changes in the following clinical laboratory values: erythrocyte sedimentation rate 15,4 ± 6,3 mm/h − 18,5 ± 13,5 mm/h – 31 ± 17 mm/h (positive correlation); lymphocyte level 1,49 ± 0,67 x 10⁹ /l − 0,86 ± 1,45 x 10⁹ /l − 0,68 ± 0,31 x 10⁹ /l (negative correlation); C-reactive protein 8,4 ± 4,7 mg/l − 47,3 ± 18,7 mg/l − 148,7 ± 53,1 mg/l (positive correlation); ferritin 43,4 ± 24,8 µg/l − 743,9 ± 50,3 µg/l – 1425 ± 485,4 µg/l (positive correlation) and the degree of pulmonary tissue lesion according by computed tomography 0 % − 32 ± 13 % − 56 ± 11 % (positive correlation).
DISCUSSION: In the course of this study it was found that mild course of COVID-19 is characterized by minor changes of laboratory values, compared to the group of severe and moderate course. There was a strong correlation between the level of COVID-19 severity and lymphocyte level (negative) as well as ferritin (positive) and the degree of infiltrative changes in lungs according on the computed tomography (positive).
CONCLUSION: The revealed correlations do not allow a full planning of patient management tactics and to predict the course of COVID-19. Developed diagnostic and treatment algorithm should be based on clinical laboratory and instrumental assessment of the patient’s condition.