Comparison of Demographic Profile and CT Findings in COVID-19 Pneumonia between First and Second Waves of COVID-19 Pandemic: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Introduction: The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected the world in two waves. The human civilisation took a heavy toll in the two waves of pandemic in terms of human deaths, loss of livelihood and socioeconomic regression. Aim: To present the Computed Tomography (CT) thorax findings of COVID-19 pneumonia during peak three months of first and second waves of COVID-19 pandemic and compare the demographic profile, radiological patterns and CT severity scores to document if significant difference exists between the two waves. Materials and Methods: The present observational, retrospective and single-centric study included all Real-time Reverse Transcription-polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) tests proven COVID-19 patients who underwent CT scan during the peak three months of first (August to October 2020) and second (April to June 2021) waves of COVID-19 pandemic at TRIHMS, Naharlagun, Arunachal Pradesh, India. A total of 93 and 120 patients were included from the first and second waves, respectively. The demographic profile, radiological pattern based on the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) consensus statement and CT severity index in COVID- 19 pneumonia were compared during the peak three months of first and second waves of the pandemic. Chi-squared and t-test were used for statistical analysis. Results: The patients affected during the second wave were younger compared to the first wave (mean age of 43 vs 49, p=0.001). The patients having moderate or severe COVID-19 pneumonia during the second wave were significantly younger compared to the first wave (mean age of 42 vs 55, p<0.001). More females were affected with moderate or severe COVID-19 pneumonia during the second wave compared to the first wave (p=0.017). However, the overall sex difference in COVID-19 pneumonia (including mild category) was not significant with p-value of 0.127. There was same prevalence of radiological patterns in the two waves (p=0.981). The difference in the prevalence of CT severity score was not significant in the two waves (p=0.256). Conclusion: Similar radiological patterns were observed in the two waves of the pandemic. Younger patients were significantly more affected during the second wave of the pandemic.