Comparison of Clinical, Laboratory and Radiological Features in Confirmed and Unconfirmed COVID-19 Patients

Abstract

Background: We aimed to compare the clinical, laboratory and radiological findings of confirmed COVID-19 and unconfirmed patients. Methods: This was a single-center, retrospective study. Results: Overall, 620 patients (338 confirmed COVID-19 and 282 unconfirmed) were included. Confirmed COVID‐19 patients had higher percentages of close contact with a confirmed or probable case. In univariate analysis, the presence of myalgia and dyspnea, decreased leukocyte, neutrophil and platelet counts were best predictors for SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR positivity. Multivariate analyses revealed that only platelet count was an independent predictor for SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR positivity. Conclusion: Routine complete blood count may be helpful for distinguishing COVID-19 from other respiratory illnesses at an early stage, while PCR testing is unique for the diagnosis of COVID-19.

Keywords::

• close contact
• complete blood count
• COVID-19
• diagnosis
• platelet
• SARS-CoV-2 PCR

Author contributions

SS, GS proposed the concept, designed the study, wrote the protocol and managed the study. SS, GT and OFB performed the statistics, interpreted the data and wrote the manuscript. SS, GT, BC, IYN, MY, EZ, AB, ARKC, HB and YK were involved in collecting the data. FP, GS performed a critical review of the manuscript. All authors provided inputs for revision of the manuscript. SS communicated with the journal and addressed comments from reviewers. All authors contributed to data acquisition, data analysis, or data interpretation and reviewed and approved the final version.

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge all healthcare professionals who have contributed to the care of their patients. The authors extend their sincere thanks to Devin Michael Janse van Rensburg for his diligent language editing of this article.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Ethical conduct of research

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the Declaration of Helsinki and the National Research Committee. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Haseki Training and Research Hospital (approval number: 358 date: 08/10/2020). Written informed consent was waived, given the retrospective nature of this study.

Additional information

Funding

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the Declaration of Helsinki and the National Research Committee. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Haseki Training and Research Hospital (approval number: 358 date: 08/10/2020). Written informed consent was waived, given the retrospective nature of this study.