DEMOGRAPHIC AND CLINICAL OUTCOMES IN COVID-19 PATIENTS WITH POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE RT-PCR TEST
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: During the COVID 19 pandemic, many patients had respiratory symptoms such as cough, fever, shortness of breath etc. suggestive of SARC virus, but have a negative by nasal swab RTPCR. This study is understanding. RTPCR negative patients also have typical CT chest findings also. Thus is study is carried to compare the clinical features, inflammatory makers, HRCT and prognosis between RT-PCR positive and negative patient’s
MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study of RTPCR positive patients and patients with clinical diagnosis of COVID-19 [Suspects] i.e, RTPCR negative. We compared the clinical findings and outcomes of PCR-positive patients with those of PCR-negative patients. A total of 56 RTPCR positive and 28 RTPCR negative patients were taken for the study.
RESULTS: The RTPCR negative group were younger (52.1 ± 12.2 vs 58.5±15.3, p=0.03) but were similar to RTPCR positive patients in terms of demographics, comorbidities, and presenting symptoms. RTPCR negative had higher lymphocyte counts (1819±868 Vs 1331±737 ,p=0.01)and less severe elevation of serum CRP values(48mg/dl) (28.57% vs50%,p=0.03).HRCT severity were also less severe in RTPCR negative group (10.7% vs 28.57% p=0.006). clinical outcomes regarding ICU admission (25% vs 46.42% p=0.02), Invasive ventilator support(21.4% vs 39.65% p=0.03) and length of hospital stay (9±4 vs 14±9 p=<0.001) as compared to RTPCR positive patients.
CONCLUSION: This study finds that one third of COVID 19 patients were RTPCR negative and were diagnosed based on clinical and radiological findings. These patients had a more favorable clinical course, shorter hospital stay and less frequent admission to the intensive care unit.
KEYWORDS: SARS-CoV-2; RT-PCR; COVID-19; Respiratory infection; hospital mortality; Clinical symptoms.