High-Resolution Imaging Analysis of CT Severity Index in COVID-19 Patients: Impact of Age and Sex

COVID-19 is a contagious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). HRCT chest imaging has been widely used during the COVID-19 pandemic. The CT severity score is helpful in assessing disease severity, which may accelerate the diagnostic workflow in COVID-19 patients. The aim of this study is to correlate the chest CT severity score of pulmonary pneumonia in COVID-19 patients with different age groups and sexes.

This retrospective study investigated the thoracic high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings of 229 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patients. The cohort comprised 168 (73.4%) males and 61 (26.6%) females, with ages ranging from 18 to 88 years (median age 47 years). Patients were stratified into four age groups: 18–30, 31–45, 46–60, and >60 years. All patients underwent HRCT of the chest using a Canon Alexion 16- slice CT scanner with a low-dose protocol. Two independent radiologists evaluated the HRCT scans, and a CT severity score was calculated for each patient based on the extent of pulmonary involvement within each lung lobe. Scores were then compared across different age groups.

HRCT chest findings in coronavirus infection included small patchy opacities; ground-glass opacity and consolidation were observed in 83% of patients. The present study indicates a positive correlation between higher CT severity scores and older age groups, as well as male gender, compared with younger and female patients.

The study showed that 73.4% of patients were male and 26.6% were female, and that more severe CT lung infection (higher CT severity scores) was significantly associated with male gender. More severe pulmonary infection was also more common in patients above 60 years of age. These findings are in agreement with other studies reporting that COVID-19 infection affects males more severely than females.

HRCT chest imaging provides valuable diagnostic information regarding disease severity, percentage of lung involvement, and extent of disease, which is useful for guiding treatment and prognosis.