Parameters associated with diagnosis of COVID-19 in emergency department

Objectives: We designed this study to identify laboratory and radiological parameters, which could be useful to guide the clinician, in the evaluation of a suspected case of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19). Methods: This retrospective, observational, single-center-study recruited patients with a suspect of COVID-19 data were extracted from electronic medical records using a standardized data collection form. Results: A total of 566 patients with suspect COVID-19 infection were enrolled (280 were COVID-19+). The COVID-19 population was characterized with bilateral-pneumonia, a lower count of neutrophil, lymphocyte and monocyte, a lower neutrophil to lymphocyte-ratio (NLR). Lower of platelet count, d-dimer, troponin I, and serum calcium were in COVID-19 patients. The occurrence of COVID-19 diagnosis increased, independently of other variables, with pneumonia (odds ratio [OR]: 3.60; p < .001), neutrophil below normal range (OR: 4.15; p < .05), lactate dehydrogenase (OR: 2.09; p < .01) and sodium above normal range (OR: 2.34; p < .01). In patients with possible respiratory acute affections we found a higher neutrophil, higher monocyte, a higher NLR and a more elevation in d-dimer. In the Sepsis group showed higher level of white blood cell, C-reactive protein, d-dimer, and procalcitonin. Conclusions: Our study confirms that patients with COVID-19 have typical radiological and laboratory characteristics. The parameters highlighted in the study can help identify COVID-19 patients, also highlighting which are the main differential diagnoses to be made and the parameters that facilitate the differential diagnosis.

Automated summary

The study identified typical radiological and laboratory characteristics in patients with COVID-19, aiding in differential diagnosis. Analyzing laboratory and radiological parameters can assist clinicians in diagnosing and treating suspected cases of COVID-19.