Analysis of Initial Clinical and CT Features of COVID-19 Pneumonia in Different Clinical Types

Abstract Background Different clinical classifications of COVID-19 pneumonia patients have different clinical and CT features, which is very important for the treatment after admission. As the epidemic situation in China continues to improve, it is particularly important to re-clarify the correlation between them.Methods 97 confirmed patients with COVID-19 pneumonia were enrolled from January 17, 2019 to February 21, 2020, including 75 mild/ordinary cases and 22 severe/critical cases. The clinical data and initial chest CT images of the patients were reviewed and compared. The risk factors associated with disease severity were analyzed.Results Compared with the mild/ordinary patients, the severe/critical patients had older ages, higher incidence of comorbidities, first CT positive, CT always negative and fever. Mild/ordinary patients had lower body temperature than mild/ordinary patients. The incidences of large/multiple GGO in severe/critical patients were significantly higher than those of the mild/ordinary patients, furthermore, severe/critical patients showed higher incidences of 4-5 lobe infections than the ordinary patients. The CT scores of severe/critical patients were significantly higher than those of the ordinary patients (P < 0.001). The clinical factors of age, sex, comorbidities, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, heart disease, pharyngeal discomfort, abdominal pain/diarrhea, temperature and CT score were risk factors for severe/critical COVID-19 pneumonia.Conclusion The initial clinical and CT characteristics have certain significance for the clinical classification of COVID-19 respiratory infection. Especially in terms of CT score, it can predict the trend of clinical classification of patients to a certain extent.