Are the thorax Computed Tomography findings of ICU patients diagnosed with COVID-19 pneumonia related to the duration of hospital stay and mortality?


Topal Ü., Yılmaz G., ŞAHİN A. S.

Journal of Infection and Chemotherapy, cilt.29, sa.5, ss.495-501, 2023 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 29 Sayı: 5
  • Basım Tarihi: 2023
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.jiac.2022.12.016
  • Dergi Adı: Journal of Infection and Chemotherapy
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, BIOSIS, CAB Abstracts, MEDLINE, Veterinary Science Database
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.495-501
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Multidetector computed tomography, Intensive care units, COVID-19 vaccine, Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, Messenger RNA Vaccines
  • Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Introduction: Quantitative thorax Computed Tomography (CT) is used to determine the severity of COVID-19 pneumonia. With a new approach, quantitative thoracic CT is to contribute to the triage of patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia in the ICU and to evaluate its relation with mortality by taking into account the vaccination status. Methods: Fifty-six patients who had a diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia confirmed in the adult ICU were evaluated retrospectively. To evaluate the degree of parenchymal involvement, the quantitative CT “craniocaudal diameter of the thorax/craniocaudal largest lesion diameter (CCDT/CCDL)” ratio and semi-quantitative total CT severity scores (TCTSS) (0:0%; 1:1–25%; 2:26–50%; 3:51–75% and 4:76–100%) were calculated. Both methods were analyzed with comparative ROC curves for predicting mortality. The effects of vaccines on thorax CT findings and laboratory parameters were also investigated. Results: The sensitivities and specificities were found to be 72.5%, 75.61%, and 80%, 73.33% when CCDT/CCDL and TCTSS cutoff value was taken <1.4, and >9, respectively, to predict mortality in COVID-19 pneumonia (Area Under the Curve = AUC = 0.797 and 0.752). Both methods predicted mortality well and no statistical differences were detected between them (p = 0.3618). In vaccinated patients, CRP was higher (p = 0.045), and LDH and ferritin were lower (p = 0.049, p = 0.004). The number of lobes involved was lower in the vaccinated group (p = 0.001). Conclusions: The quantitative CT score (CCDT/CCDL) may play as important a role as TCTSS in diagnosing COVID-19 pneumonia, determining the severity of the disease, and predicting the related mortality. COVID-19 vaccines may affect laboratory parameters and cause less pneumonia on thoracic CT than in unvaccinated individuals.