dc.description.abstract | Background: Early detection of disease progression associated with severe COVID-19, and access to proper medical care lowers fatality rates of severe cases. Currently, no studies had systematically examined the variables in detecting severe COVID-19.
Method: Systematic searching of electronic databases identified observational studies which recruited participants with confirmed COVID-19 infection who were divided into different groups according to disease severity were identified.
Results: To analysis 41 studies with 5064 patients were included.Patients who are elderly (SMD, 1.90; 95% CI, 1.01 to 2.8), male (OR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.39 to 2.11) and have comorbidities or flu-like symptoms were significantly associated with the development to severe cases. Severe cases were associated with significant increased WBC (OR, 5.83; 95% CI, 2.76 to 12.32), CRP (OR, 3.62; 95% CI, 1.62 to 8.03), D-dimer (SMD, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.09 to 2.28), AST (OR, 4.64; 95% CI, 3.18 to 6.77) and LDH (OR, 7.94; 95% CI, 2.09 to 30.21). CT manifestation of bilateral lung involvement (OR, 4.55; 95% CI, 2.17 to 9.51) was associated with the severe cases.
Conclusions and Relevance: Our findings offer guidance for a wide spectrum of clinicians to early identify severe COVID-19 patients, transport to specialised centres, and initiate appropriate treatment. | en_US |