Trauma and COVID-19: Clinical and Paraclinical similarities between Trauma Patients with Positive and Negative PCR Tests

OBJECTIVE: To compare clinical and paraclinical similarities between trauma patients with positive RT-PCR tests (PCR+ve) and the RT-PCR negative ones (PCR -ve). METHODS: This a case-control study, where cases had a PCR+ve and controls had a negative result. Two groups were compared regarding (para) clinical values. Multivariable binary logistic regression analysis investigated the variables predicting COVID-19 and the mortality rate. RESULTS: Both groups were similar regarding the clinical findings and comorbidities (p>0.05). PCR+ve group had lower lymphocyte count (1.41 [1.45] vs. 1.66 [1.61], p=0.030), CPK level (411 [928.75] vs. 778 [1946.5]. p=0.006) and CRP level (17 [42.5] vs. 24 [50.75], p=0.004). However, none of these findings were significant in the multivariable analysis. Finally, PCR+ve group had increased odds of death (OR=2.88; 95% CI=1.22-7.41). CONCLUSION: Unlike our primary hypothesis, the study failed to mark any significant (para) clinical features guiding us to detect COVID-19 earlier in trauma patients. Moreover, the PCR+ve group is at increased mortality risk. A larger, multicentric prospective study should be designed to address this issue.