the Value of Chest CT scan Findings in Predicting Mortality and ICU Admission in COVID-19 in the Elderly

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: The novel coronavirus pandemic has taken many people’s lives globally, which has been worse in vulnerable groups. The elderly showed higher mortality rate during the pandemic, compared with other age groups. A Chest Computed Tomography (CT) scan has been implemented as a diagnostic tool in Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19); however, the mortality increased in the presence of some chest CT scan manifestations. Materials and methods: This is a retrospective cross-sectional study. 411 COVID-19 patients, aged 60 years and above, analyzing demographic characteristics (age and gender), the severity (ICU admission, non-ICU admission), the outcomes (deceased or recovered), and chest CT scan findings (typical, indeterminate, and atypical) in this population. Results: 411 patients entered the study; 52.3% females, 47.7% males. The average age of the total population was 73.5± 8.75 years. 19% of the patients were admitted to ICU. 24.8% of the subjects did not survive. 76.1% of subjects showed typical chest CT scan findings of COVID, while 15.6 were indeterminate and in 8.3% atypical. The mortality rate of 60-75 years was 19.8%, and 76-80, and >80 were 34% and 35.4% respectively. Mortality with typical findings was 21.4%, and with indeterminate findings, 28.1%, while with atypical was 50%. Mortality in ICU admitted patients was 78.2%. The frequencies of atypical finding in ICU cases was 15.4%, and in non-ICU cases was 6.6%. Conclusion: Mortality significantly increased with age and ICU admission. Atypical chest CT scan findings were accompanied by higher mortality and ICU admission that proved their poor prognostic value. MeSH terms: COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, Computed Tomography, Aged, Mortality, Prognosis