Letter to the editor: Evaluation of Pneumonia Severity and Lung Computed Tomography Findings in Covid-19 Patients

Aim: Examining clinical and imaging features can help deepen our understanding of the mechanisms of severe disease and improve clinical diagnosis and treatment. This study aimed to describe the relationship between the clinical, laboratory, and lung computed tomography (LCT) characteristics of patients with coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia and determine the severity of pneumonia in these patients. Methods: The pneumonia severity index (PSI) score system, LCT images, and laboratory parameters at the time of first presentation to the emergency department were examined to assess the severity of COVID-19 pneumonia in adult patients. Results: The sample consisted of 225 patients, 130 (57.8%) men and 95 (42.2%) women, with a mean age of 60.4 ± 16.04 years. Of these, 161 (71.6%) had moderate disease, and 62 (27.6%) had severe disease and were followed up in the intensive care unit. A significant relationship was found between COVID-19-associated mortality and male gender (p=0.045), advanced age (p<0.001), high neutrophil count (p<0.001), low eosinophil count (p<0.001), 5-49% lung involvement on LCT (p<0.001), and PSI groups IV and V (p<0.001). No statistically significant relationship was found between increased CRP levels and mortality (p=0.764). Conclusion: The most significant factors for mortality were advanced age, low eosinophil and lymphocyte counts, increased lactate and ferritin levels, and PSI group V. This study highlights clinical evidence supporting risk factors for the severity and mortality of COVID-19.