Association between rRT-PCR test results upon admission and outcome in hospitalized chest CT-Positive COVID-19 patients; a provincial retrospective cohort with active follow-up

Nemati, Saeed; Najari, Hamid Reza; Eftekharzadeh, Anita; Kazemifar, Amir Mohammad; Qandian, Ali; Fattahi, Pedram; Zokaei Nikoo, Maedeh; Leghaei, Shiva; Rouhollahi, Mohammad Reza

Background − The Covid−19 pandemic imposed the most devastating challenge on healthcare systems worldwide. Iran was among the first countries that had to confront serious shortages in RT−PCR testing for SARS−CoV−2 and ventilators availabilities throughout the COVID−19 outbreak. This study aimed to investigate the clinical course of hospitalized COVID−19 patients with different rRT−PCR test results during the first 3 weeks of the outbreak in Qazvin province, Iran. Methods −For this retrospective cohort study, data of hospitalized patients primarily diagnosed as having COVID−19 in all 12 centers across the whole Qazvin province during Feb 20−Mar 11, 2020 was analyzed. A multivariate logistic regression model was applied to assess the independent associates of death among COVID−19 patients. Results − 998 patients (57% male, median age 54 years) with positive chest CT−scan changes were included in this study. Among them, 558 patients were examined with rRT−PCR test and 73.8% tested positive. Case fatality rate was 20.68% and 7.53% among test−positive and test negative hospitalized patients, respectively. While only 5.2% of patients were ICU admitted, case fatality rates outside ICU were 17.70% and 4.65% in test-positive and test-negative non−ICU admitted patients, correspondingly. The independent associates of death were age ≥ 70 years, testing positive with rRT−PCR test, having immunodeficiency disorders and ICU admission. Conclusions − Hospitalized COVID−19 patients with mild symptoms despite positive chest CT changes and major comorbidities were more probable to have negative rRT−PCR test result, hence lower case fatality rate and a more favorable outcome.