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.