Clinico-radiological profile of COVID-19 in Kashmiri population: A descriptive study

AIM: The purpose of our study was to assess the presentation of COVID-19 disease in terms of clinical and radiological features in our population. METHODS: 64 RT-PCR documented COVID-19 patients were included in the study. Clinical, biochemical, and radiological data were collected and analyzed retrospectively from last week of March to 30(th) April 2020. RESULTS: Out of the 64 patients, 38 (59.4%) were males, 44 (68.7%) had a history of contact with COVID-19 positive patient. 26.6%patients were in the age group of 21–30 years. 53.1% patients were asymptomatic while as cough and fever were the most common symptoms in 21.8 and 20.3% patients, respectively. Anosmia was present in four patients. Hypertension and hypothyroidism were the most common comorbid illnesses among the study population in 9.4% patients each. Lymphopenia was present in 38% of patients CRP was increased in 83% patients, LDH in 90.2%, and ferritin in 51.5% of patients. 17 (26.6%) patients had bilateral disease in CT. RUL was the most common lobe involved in 18 (28.1%) patients. GGO and consolidation were seen in 22 (34.45) and 13 (20.3%) patients, respectively. Vessel enlargement was observed in 11 (17.2%) patients. All five lobes were involved in 9 (14.1%) patients. Five patients developed severe disease with respiratory comprise; two of them eventually died. CONCLUSION: The clinical and radiological characteristics of COVID-19 patients vary among different populations. Although there are no radiological features which seems to be characteristic of COVID-19, but CT helps in evaluation of the patients as many asymptomatic ones have some radiological findings suggestive of viral pneumonia.