CT Chest Severity Index in SARS CoV2 - A Tool to Predict Clinical Outcome

Background: The novel coronavirus, belonging to the beta coronavirus has been responsible for a shake in the world. Its main effect is on the pulmonary system where it ranges from a mild upper respiratory tract infection to a severe acute respiratory distress syndrome. Staging and identification as per High - resolution computerized tomography (HRCT) scan of changes has expedited the identification of complications of the disease. Aim: Correlation of inflammatory markers to HRCT findings. Material and Methods: A retrospective cross - sectional study performed on patients during a month period looking at the HRCT score and the changes in the inflammatory markers to assess the correlation in predicting severity of the two widely used resources. Results: There was a statistically significant correlation between the serum Lactate dehydrogenase, Ferritin, D dimer and the HRCT score findings. In addition, a statistically significant association between antibiotic escalation and ICU admission was established; no statistical significance was established with the use of steroids in patients with a higher HRCT score. Conclusion: HRCT could play a pivotal role in aiding physicians to stratify patients and its correlation with the severity of illness could be useful in predicting treatment and ICU need.