METHOD
This retrospective study included 200 patients admitted to the COVID-19
clinic of Erzincan Binali Yildirim University Mengucek Gazi Training and
Research Hospital between 01.10.2020 and 31.12.2020. Demographic
characteristics and laboratory test results of the patients were
retrieved from the hospital electronic medical records system. Patients
were excluded from the study if they were aged <18 years, were
pregnant, were followed up in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) or
transferred to the ICU during follow up, or if basic data were
incomplete. A record was made of the hemogram taken on the day of
admission, CRP values and thorax CT results.
Cellular blood counts (WBC, leukocyte subtypes, hemoglobin level,
platelet count) were peformed using the Sysmex XN-1000 Hematology System
(Sysmex Corporation, Kobe, Japan). CRP was measured using the
nephelometric method on a BN II SystemTM (Siemens,
Munich, Germany).
The NLR was determined by dividing the absolute neutrophil count by the
absolute lymphocyte count, and PLR by dividing the absolute platelet
count by the absolute lymphocyte count.
The CT images were acquired using a third-generation dual-source CT
device (Somatom Force, Siemens Healthineers, Germany). After scout
acquisition, imaging was conducted in the supine position, in a
cranio-caudal direction with the following parameters: 80/140 SnkVp, 60
mAs, and rotation time 0.33 s. Imaging reconstruction was performed in
axial, coronal and sagittal planes with 1.5mm slice thickness.
The CT severity scores were calculated using the Pan et al method (11).