Can initial chest CT scan predict status and clinical outcomes of COVID-19 infection? A retrospective cohort study

Abstract Background We aimed to investigate the association of initial chest CT scan findings with status and adverse outcomes COVID-19 (including ICU admission, mortality, disease severity). This retrospective cohort study was performed in three hospitals Babol, northern Iran, between February March 2020. Cases were confirmed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Clinical paraclinical data patients collected from their medical records. severity score (CSS) calculated a senior radiologist. Disease determined based on World Health Organization criteria. Results In total, 742 included, whom 451 (60.8%) males 291 (39.2%) females. The mean age 56.59 ± 14.88 years old. Also, 523 (70.5%) RT-PCR-positive. Ground glass opacity directly associated RT-PCR positivity (odds ratio [OR] = 2.07). RT-PCR-positive cases had significantly higher CSS than RT-PCR-negative ( p 0.037). COVID-19, peribronchovascular distribution lesions, number zones involved, increased risk admission (OR 2.93, OR 2.10, 1.14, respectively), mortality 2.30, 1.35, OR=1.08, severe 2.06, 1.68, 1.10, critical 4.62, 3.21, 1.23, respectively). who consolidation at compared those did not 4.94). Conclusion Initial can predict positivity, severity, specifically through CSS.