Predictive value of initial CT scan for various adverse outcomes in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia

Abstract

Background: Chest computed tomography (CT) scan is frequently used in the diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia.

Objectives: This study investigates the predictive value of CT severity score (CSS) for length-of-stay (LOS) in hospital, initial disease severity, ICU admission, intubation, and mortality.

Methods: In this retrospective study, initial CT scans of consecutively admitted patients with COVID-19 pneumonia were reviewed in a tertiary hospital. The association of CSS with the severity of disease upon admission and the final adverse outcomes was assessed using Pearson's correlation test and logistic regression, respectively.

Results: Total of 121 patients (60±16 years), including 54 women and 67 men, with positive RT-PCR tests were enrolled. We found a significant but weak correlation between CSS and qSOFA, as a measure of disease severity (r: 0.261, p = 0.003). No significant association was demonstrated between CSS and LOS. Patients with CSS>8 had at least three-fold higher risk of ICU admission, intubation, and mortality.

Conclusions: CSS in baseline CT scan of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia can predict adverse outcomes and is weakly correlated with initial disease severity.

Keywords: COVID-19; CT scan; ICU Admission; Intubation; Mortality.