ABSTRACT
Introduction: The current study aims to evaluate the
relationship between C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, thorax CT findings
and CT-SS in patients presenting to the emergency department with
COVID-19.
Methods: Patients diagnosed with COVID-19 by nasopharyngeal
rt-PCR (+) in the emergency department were included in the study. In
addition to the CRP, ferritin and D-dimer examinations of patients at
admission, thorax CT involvement findings and CT-SS results were
recorded. The relationship of CRP value with CT-SS and clinical outcome
was evaluated.
Results: A total of 974 COVID-19 patients, 572 males (58.7%)
and 402 females (41.3%), with a mean age of 59.64±17.34 years, were
included in the study. The CRP values of the patients who needed
intensive care and needed respiratory support were also significantly
higher at admission (95.1 mg/dL vs. 31.05 mg/dL) (p<0.001).
The CRP values of the patients who developed any complications during
the treatment of COVID-19 were higher (79.9 mg/dL vs. 41.85 mg/dL)
(p<0.001).
In the case of CRP >124.5, a thorax CT density score 7.35
times higher was determined to be severe. In addition, it was determined
that there was a 9.09-fold increase in the incidence of negative imaging
findings in terms of COVID-19 in cases where the CRP value was
<12.5 mg/dL.
Conclusion: The CRP levels of COVID-19 patients measured upon
admission to the emergency room are correlated with the severity of lung
involvement and are an important predictor of clinical outcomes.