Establishment of Diagnostic Protocols for COVID-19 Patients

Objective: To evaluate the oscillation of laboratory parameters among indoor patients infected with COVID-19.

Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted at Tertiary Care Institute, Rawalpindi from 01 March 2020 to 20 May 2020. Three hundred and ninety-two patients with mild to moderate illness, PCR positive for COVID 19 were included. Prevalence of typical symptoms of coronavirus disease cough, fever, sore throat and shortness of breath was recorded.PCR was repeated after seven days of admission, if declared negative, another executed on consecutive day. Discharge Criteria was two consecutive negative PCR.

Results: A total of 392 patients enrolled in the study with age range 9-45 and mean 33.22±7.98 years. A total of 8 (2%) patients were females and 384(98%) males. 296(75.5%) did not have a cough whereas 96(24.5%) presented with the trait. 296 (75.5%) patients did not have associated fever whereas 96(24.5%) manifested with fever. Chest x-ray had a bilateral patch in 96 (24.5%) patients only. Ferritin was raised in 96 (24.5%) patients however were recorded within normal limits in 296(75.5%) patients. Coagulation Profile was deranged in 64(16.3%) patients whereas was within range in 328(83.7%) patients. Serum Bilirubin, Serum Alkaline phosphatases, Serum Albumin, Serum Urea, Serum Potassium were essentially in typical tolls in 392(100%) patients. However Serum Alanine Aminotransferase was raised in 32(8.2%), Serum C reactive Protein was elevated in 48(12.2%). An exaggerated values of serum creatinine and serum sodium were noticed in 24(6.1%) and 16(4.1%) respectively.

Conclusion: Routine haematological tests, biochemical tests, serological tests, and radiographic tests are crucial to conclusion, foundation and progression of ailment in COVID-19 contaminated patients.