Correlation between CT score and hs-CRP at different stages in COVID-19 patients

  Objective  To explore the value of chest CT score and hs-CRP in the staging diagnosis of COVID-19.

  Methods  Clinical data about 65 cases with confirmed COVID-19 admitted to our hospital from January to February in 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into four groups according to the disease progression: stage 1 (0-3 days), stage 2 (4-7 days), stage 3 (8-14 days) and stage 4 (15-21 days). According to the clinical classification, the patients were divided into two groups: mild/moderate group and severe/critically ill group. CT score was calculated according to the extent of chest CT lesions, and the correlation between CT score and hs-CRP was analyzed.

  Results  Of the 65 cases, there were 33 males and 32 females, with an average age of 52.77±13.95 years. According to the disease progression, the CT score (stage 3 vs stage 1, stage 2, and stage 4: 11.27±2.02 vs 2.79±1.25, 6.40±1.32, 2.50±1.42) and hs-CRP value (stage 3 vs stage 1, stage 2, and stage 4: 81.61±63.46 mg/L vs 8.94±6.16 mg/L, 41.78±19.79 mg/L, 7.10±7.74 mg/L) in stage 3 were significantly higher than those in the other three stages (all P < 0.05). According to clinical classification, the CT score (12.05±1.75 vs 4.11±2.25) and serum hs-CRP value (82.17±64.97 mg/L vs 25.01±21.77 mg/L) were higher in severe/critically ill patients than in mild/moderate patients (P < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between CT score and hs-CRP value (r=0.76, P=0.001).

  Conclusion  CT score combined with hs-CRP plays an important role in the diagnosis and dynamic evaluation of COVID-19.