Clinical Symptom Influence on The Time of Nucleic Acid Conversion to
Negative in COVID-19 Patients with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant: A
Retrospective Observational Study
Abstract
Background: The duration for COVID-19 patients to achieve a
negative nucleic acid test result is influenced by various factors. This
study aimed to explore the influences of clinical symptoms of COVID-19
on the time required for nucleic acid test results to become negative.
Methods: The retrospective study enrolled a total of 486
participants infected with COVID-19 who were aged ≥18 years and
hospitalized at Shanghai Lingang Make-shift Hospital between April 10,
2022, and May 20, 2022. The clinical data included patient demographics,
clinical symptoms, and the time of nucleic acid conversion to negative,
all assessed using a cross-sectional study method. Results:
This study included COVID-19 patients with a median age of 38,
comprising 66.0% males and 34.0% females. Multiple linear regression
analyses demonstrated a significant positive correlation between the
time of nucleic acid conversion to negative and the clinical symptoms of
throat pain among patients with COVID-19 ( β=0.845, 95% CI:
0.123–1.567, P≤0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that throat
pain had a significant negative effect on the 7-day negative nucleic
acid conversion rate (OR=0.586, 95%CI:0.390-0.880, P≤0.01), as did
diarrhea(OR = 0.541, 95%CI=0.295-0.989,P≤0.05). Conclusion:
The varying clinical symptoms influence the time to negative nucleic
acid test results in COVID-19 patients, indicating that these symptoms
should receive special attention in clinical treatment to optimize
therapy and shorten recovery time.