The effect of national restrictions on computed tomography severity score and the prognosis of COVID-19

Abstract

Background/Aim: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is spreading rapidly all over the world and has high mortality rates. Governments implement quarantine or restrictions to prevent the virus from getting out of control. Computed Tomography (CT) has an important place in the diagnosis of COVID-19 and patient management. This study aimed to evaluate the changes in chest CT findings and the disease prognosis of COVID-19 pneumonia during the restriction and post-restriction periods. Methods: A total of 1150 patients whose COVID-19 disease was confirmed by a reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and who underwent chest CT examination between April 1-September 30, 2020 were included in this retrospective cohort study. The participants were categorized into two groups according to CT examination dates, as during (April 1-May 31), and after the restriction periods (June 1-September 30). Each patient's CT severity score (CTSS) was calculated, and the need for admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) and mortality related to COVID-19 were noted for statistical analysis. Results: Of the 1150 cases, 213 were in the restriction period group (RPG), while 937 were in the post-restriction period group (PRPG). The median value of CTSS was 5 in the RPG, and 6 in the PRPG (P=0.095). In the RPG and PRPG, the number of patients who needed ICU admission were 20 (9.4%), and 50 (5.3%), respectively, while 12 (7%) and 39 (4.2%) patients, respectively, died from COVID-19. Both parameters were comparable between the two groups (P=0.073, P=0.060 respectively). Conclusion: The restrictions did not change the severity of the COVID-19 disease, ICU hospitalization rate, and death rate.