Diagnostic role of laboratory findings and clinical symptoms in detecting the severity of COVID-19 disease

M. Alshipli, T.A. Altaim, O. Khodrog, M. Hawamdeh, S.A. Alsenany, S.M.F. Abdelaliem, M. Marashdeh, T. Hammudeh, T. Alnawafleh, R.A.M. Gaowgzeh

Medical Imaging and Radiography Department, Aqaba University of Technology, Aqaba, Jorda. thamerpt@live.co.uk

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• Infectious Diseases

OBJECTIVE: The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic poses a monumental challenge to healthcare systems worldwide. Clinical features and data-driven decisions could differentiate the virus’s early stages. This study aims to provide valuable diagnostic data that can help determine the severity of COVID-19 infection and allow for early detection.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: A sample of 214 patients was collected to validate our approach. The data were grouped into ordinary (126 cases) or severe (88 cases) groups. The information they provided included age, gender, creatinine levels, blood pressure, glucose levels, creatine phosphokinase (CPK), alanine transaminase (ALT), cough, fever, expectoration, myalgia, headache, dyspnea, abdominal discomfort, and chest pain. Statistically, the Mann-Whitney U, T, and Chi-square tests were utilized to determine the significant differences in collected data between two groups of patients and the severity of those differences between categorical variables.

RESULTS: The patients’ age range was 21 to 84 years. The male gender was predominant (56%), particularly in the severe group (63.6%). The results summarized that the mortality rate for COVID-19 patients is high (4.7%). Symptomatic patients with abnormal creatinine levels, blood pressure, glucose level, CPK, ALT, cough, expectoration, dyspnea, and chest pain were significantly linked with both COVID-19 patient groups (p < 0.05). Compared to the ordinary group, patients in the severe group had abnormal creatinine levels (77.8%), high blood pressure (87.5%), diabetes mellitus (55.3%), high CPK level (85.7%), high ALT value (88.2%), cough (44.4%), expectoration (86.7%), dyspnea (81.0%), and chest pain (80.0%).

CONCLUSIONS: Patients with abnormal creatinine levels, blood pressure, glucose levels, CPK, ALT, cough, dyspnea, and chest pain are at high risk for severe COVID-19 infection.

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