Evaluation of Initial Clinical Symptoms and Imaging Changes in Patients with COVID-19-Induced Pneumonia

Abstract

Introduction: The most common symptoms associated with the COVID-19 virus include fever, cough, lymphocytopenia, and specific changes in chest radiography. Given the novelty of this virus and the limited similar studies, this research was conducted to examine the correlation between clinical and laboratory findings in patients with community-acquired pneumonia and their association with radiologic findings. Methods: This descriptive study was conducted on patients admitted to Vali-Asr Hospital in Qaemshahr in 2021 with a diagnosis of pneumonia due to COVID-19. Demographic information, history of underlying disorders, type of pneumonia, immunodeficiency status, laboratory findings, history of pulmonary diseases, timing of radiography/CT scan, duration of hospitalization, and location of hospitalization (general ward or ICU) were extracted from medical records and collected according to the attached checklist. Results: The average age of the participants was 23.8 years, with 8% being female and 32.2% male. Various health conditions were observed among the patients, including diabetes (30.2%), hypertension (41%), dyslipidemia (29.3%), and chronic kidney disease (18.5%). Key findings indicate that 9.3% had low oxygen levels, with an average oxygen saturation of 95.19%. Most patients (93.7%) recovered, while 6.3% died. Common clinical symptoms included fever (73.7%), decreased consciousness (85.4%), and anxiety (82.4%). Consciousness scores were lower in patients with hypertension, dyslipidemia, and depressive symptoms. Finally, the length of hospitalization varied by ward, with patients in general wards having longer stays than those transferred to the ICU or operating room. Discussion: The findings indicate that factors such as age, gender, comorbidities, and diagnostic methods can significantly impact clinical outcomes and prognosis.