Study population
All patients assessed as high risk for COVID-19 underwent
high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) examination. Patients with
HRCT findings suggesting COVID-19 and those with atypical radiologic
findings but consistent clinical symptoms were admitted. Diagnosis of
COVID-19 was based on real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing
of nasopharyngeal swab samples. The study included 60 patients admitted
to the Erzurum Regional Training and Research Hospital due to COVID-19
during December 2020 who did not develop acute respiratory distress and
macrophage activation syndrome and had a ratio of arterial partial
pressure of oxygen to fraction of inspired oxygen
(PO2/FiO2) above 200 at admission and on
day 7 of treatment.
Starting at admission to the ward, the patients’ hematological
parameters, biochemical parameters including liver and kidney function
tests, coagulation parameters, ferritin, D-dimer, troponin-I, and
C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were evaluated daily.