Clinical characteristics of patients with confirmed and suspected COVID-19

Objective: To compare the differences between two groups of patients with confirmed and suspected COVID-19.

Methods: We retrospectively collected and analyzed the data of confirmed and suspected patients, including demographic, epidemic, laboratory, clinical, radiologic, and treatment data, at the fever clinic and isolation ward of our hospital from December 1, 2019 to December 30, 2019.

Results: The study included 73 patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19. The median age was 43.6 years old, and 41 patients (56.2%) were male. Patients in the suspected group (SG) (n=47) were significantly older than those in the confirmed group (CG) (n=26). Among 73 patients, 18 (24.6%) had comorbidities. Most laboratory test results in this study were normal, except for total lymphocyte counts and C-reactive protein levels. Patients in the CG had fewer lymphocyte count abnormalities than those of the SG. More patients in the CG (13 cases, 50%) displayed involvement of three or more lobes than those in the SG (8 cases, 17%). More patients in the SG (36 cases, 76.6%) displayed involvement of 1-2 lobes than those in the CG (12 cases, 46.2%). In the CG, computed tomography (CT) lung lesions were mainly distributed in the left lower lung lobe (65.4%) and left upper lung lobe (80.8%).

Conclusion: The reference standard for detecting COVID-19 is still RT-PCR. However, characteristic chest CT results and a history of close contact strongly suggest COVID-19 infection.