Clinical and Laboratory Findings in COVID-19 Patients: Comparison of
RT-PCR Positive and Negative Cases
Abstract
The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has turned into a global
public health emergency after the first patients were detected in Wuhan,
China, in December 2019. Methods This case-control study was conducted
in two hospitals of Alborz Province in Iran. All symptomatic adults
hospitalized as COVID-19 patients with compatible CT scan findings and
available RT-PCR results were recruited in this study. The patients were
categorized in positive and negative RT-PCR groups and evaluated for
symptoms, initial vital signs, comorbidity, clinical and laboratory
findings and the results were assessed by SPSS software. Results Between
March 5 to April 5, 2020, 164 symptomatic COVID-19 patients were
studied. In total, there were 111 RT-PCR positive (67.6%) and 53 RT-PCR
negative patients (32.4%). In terms of statistics, the frequency of
symptoms revealed no difference, except for cough (P.V:0.008), dizziness
(P.V: 0.048) and weakness (P.V:0.022). Among initial vital signs, PR
(P.V:0.041) and O2 Saturation (P.V: 0.014) were statistically different
between the two groups. Evaluation of comorbidities revealed no
difference except for hyperlipidemia (P.V:0.024). In comparison of
laboratory findings, only WBC count (P.V: 0.001), lymphocyte count (P.V:
0.001) and Hb (P.V:0.008) were statistically different between the two
groups. Conclusion In case of negative RT-PCR result, it is necessary to
take a logical approach, and we recommended that the physician decide
according to clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, and positive
CT result