Exploration of severe Covid-19 associated risk factor in China:
meta-analysis of current evidence
Abstract
Methods: We systemically and comprehensively retrieved the eligible
study evaluating clinical difference between severe versus non-severe
Covid-19. Main effect sizes were demography characteristics,
comorbidities, signs and symptoms, laboratory findings as well as
radiological features in chest CT. Results: 14 studies with a total of
2,566 individuals (771 in Severe group and 1,795 in Non-severe group)
were eligible for this meta-analysis. It was demonstrated that older and
male person was more susceptible to severe Covid-19. Patients with
underlying comorbidity, such as hypertension, diabetes, heart disease
and COPD were associated with significantly increased susceptibility of
severe Covid-19. Patients with dyspnea were more likely to be severe
illness. Depressed total lymphocytes were observed in this article.
Meanwhile, although reticulation (30.8%), intrathoracic lymph node
enlargement (56.4%) and pleural effusions (30.8%) were relatively
rarely seen, meta-analysis revealed that patients with these
presentations in chest CT were associated with increased risks of severe
Covid-19. Conclusions: There are significant differences in clinical
characteristic between the severe and non-severe Covid-19 patients. Many
factors are related to the severity of the disease, which can help
clinicians to differentiate severe patient from non-severe patient.