CT Score and Prognosis of Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Patients in COVID 19 Pneumonia

Background: Covid-19 is infection has a wide range of clinical findings from asymptomatic, mild to severe pneumonia. Respiratory system is the first to be affected in Covid-19, and it has been reported that pathological findings appear before symptoms in CT. Vaccination is recommended against Covid 19 disease. Pulmonary involvement has been reported to be more common in the unvaccinated population.

Aims: In the study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between CT score and prognosis in vaccinated and unvaccinated patients.

Study Design: CT score and clinical findings in hospitalized patients due to Covid-19 were analyzed retrospectively.

Place and Duration of Study: Ersin Arslan Training and Research Hospital Covid Wards between July 1, 2021, and September 30, 2021.

Methodology: 300 vaccinated or unvaccinated patients (133 male, 167 female) with or without a medical history hospitalized in hospital wards were included in the study. CT and clinical findings of the patients were evaluated. CT score was calculated according to lung lobes involvement rates. Chi-Square Test was used for statistical analyzed.

Results: A total of 300 patients were reviewed. Male gender was 44.3% and female 55.7%. The average age was 57 years (median:57 range:21-96). According to the CT scores; 18.6% mild, 49.3% moderate, 24.6% severe lung involvement was found. 18.6% of the patients were completed vaccinated, 10.6% incompleted-vaccinated, and 70.8% unvaccinated. Pulmonary involvement was mild in 84%, moderate in 16% of the vaccinated patients. In unvaccinated and incompletely-vaccinated; 27% severe, 69% moderate and 4% mild were found. It was determined that 17.6% of patients needed intensive-care. The mean hospitalized stay was 9.2 days (median:8 range:1-38). 7 or less CT scores was related with vaccinated patients (mild). 8-17 CT score was related with unvaccinated (moderate). It was found that patients with a more than 18 CT score (severe lung involvoment) had a longer hospital stay and a more often need for intensive care.

Conclusion: COVID 19 is found to be related with more severe lung damage in unvaccinated patients. In the vaccinated patients the lung damage was milder. A CT score of more than 18 was related with poor prognosis.