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Screening role of complete blood cell count indices and C reactive protein in patients who are symptomatic for COVID-19
Affiliations- Department of Immunology, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
- Student Research Committee, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
- Immunology Department, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
- ENT and Head and Neck Research Center and Department, The Five Senses Health Institute, Hazrat Rasoul Akram Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Division of Pulmonology, Department of Internal Medicine, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
- Department of Radiology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Diagnosis of COVID-19 is through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or typical involvement of the lung by the virus in computed tomography (CT) scan. However, PCR is not always available, and also CT scan has a high dose of radiation. This study was performed to find the role of complete blood cell (CBC) indices and qualitative C-reactive protein (CRP) in screening of symptomatic patients.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: A diagnostic accuracy study was performed on symptomatic cases in Abadan. Four stepwise logistic regression models were designed that the outcomes were PCR positivity, CT scan positivity, PCR and CT scan positivity, and COVID-19 positivity (i.e., PCR or CT scan positivity). Post-estimation receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis was performed to report the area under the curve (AUC).
RESULTS: A total of 104 patients were studied. The most accurate model was for the prediction of CT scan positivity (AUC = 0.874) in which the predictors were age [odds ratio (OR) =1.063] and CRP (OR = 2.661 for each plus of positivity). The second accurate model was for the prediction of COVID-19 positivity (AUC = 0.828) in which the predictors were white blood cell count (OR = 0.735 for every 1000 counts per μL) and neutrophil per lymphocyte ratio (OR = 1.248).
CONCLUSIONS: Higher levels of CRP are associated with and predictor of lung involvement in COVID-19 infection. CRP qualitative levels can be measured before a CT scan if there is no other indication for imaging.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Diagnosis of COVID-19 is through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or typical involvement of the lung by the virus in computed tomography (CT) scan. However, PCR is not always available, and also CT scan has a high dose of radiation. This study was performed to find the role of complete blood cell (CBC) indices and qualitative C-reactive protein (CRP) in screening of symptomatic patients.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: A diagnostic accuracy study was performed on symptomatic cases in Abadan. Four stepwise logistic regression models were designed that the outcomes were PCR positivity, CT scan positivity, PCR and CT scan positivity, and COVID-19 positivity (i.e., PCR or CT scan positivity). Post-estimation receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis was performed to report the area under the curve (AUC).
RESULTS: A total of 104 patients were studied. The most accurate model was for the prediction of CT scan positivity (AUC = 0.874) in which the predictors were age [odds ratio (OR) =1.063] and CRP (OR = 2.661 for each plus of positivity). The second accurate model was for the prediction of COVID-19 positivity (AUC = 0.828) in which the predictors were white blood cell count (OR = 0.735 for every 1000 counts per μL) and neutrophil per lymphocyte ratio (OR = 1.248).
CONCLUSIONS: Higher levels of CRP are associated with and predictor of lung involvement in COVID-19 infection. CRP qualitative levels can be measured before a CT scan if there is no other indication for imaging.
Keywords
COVID-19; C-reactive protein; CT scan; clinical reasoning; statistical modeling
About this articleTitle
Screening role of complete blood cell count indices and C reactive protein in patients who are symptomatic for COVID-19
Journal
Disaster and Emergency Medicine Journal
Issue
Article type
Research paper
Pages
176-181
Published online
2022-09-15
Page views
6981
Article views/downloads
247
DOI
Bibliographic record
Disaster Emerg Med J 2022;7(3):176-181.
Keywords
COVID-19
C-reactive protein
CT scan
clinical reasoning
statistical modeling
Authors
Bijan Ansari-Moghaddam
Seyyed Amir Yasin Ahmadi
Maryam Matouri
Ali Ghaemmaghami
Ali Amiri
Elham Tavakkol
Farhad Shahsavar
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