To Determine Role of C-reactive Protein Test and Computerised Tomography Scan of Lung in Diagnosis of COVID-19

Abstract

The outbreak of novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has led the entire world to limp. The virus is causing the severe acute respiratory syndrome, with increasing morbidity and mortality. The WHO declared COVID-19 as a pandemic or public health emergency because of its morbidity and mortality. Several inflammatory markers have been used in the initial diagnosis, as well as prognostic markers in disease progression. One of the inflammatory markers is C reactive protein. The other markers that help in prognosis are ferritin, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, CT scan of the lung, IL6 (interleukin 6). RT PCR is reliable diagnostic evidence. Aim of the study: 1. The aim is to determine the C-reactive protein, CT (Computerised Tomography) scan of the lung, RT PCR (Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain reaction) in Covid19 patients. 2. To compare CRP & CT scan values of the lung in various age groups. A cross-sectional study was done from September 2020 to January 2021 and the results were analysed. Out of 704 covid positive patients, the maximum number of patients were in the age group between 31 to 70. The RT PCR showed COVID positive results in 689 (97.8%) patients. The CRP values were found to be >25mg/l from 31-50 (34.7%) years and in 51-70 years of age (52%). In comparison of CT scan with CRP changes, CRP values were found to be raised when there is 25-50% (24.5%) and >50% (27.6%) involvement of lung by COVID. CT scan lung involvement was >50% in the age group between 31-50 (38.9%) and 51-70 (50%), respectively. High CRP values of >25mg/l were observed with the same age group 34.7% with the group of 31-50 and 52% with the group of 51-70, respectively. CRP correlated with the advancing age group and was found to be a good predictor of disease progression.