The Relationship between Severity of Lung Involvement Based on High-Resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT) Findings and Lymphopenia in Patients with COVID-19

Abstract

Background: Lymphopenia may reflect the degree of lung injury in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Given that few studies have been conducted in this regard, this study aimed to evaluate the association between severity of lung involvement based on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings and lymphocyte count in patients with COVID-19. Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 123 patients with COVID-19 from March 2020 to April 2020 in Shahid Sadoughi hospital, Yazd, Iran. Data including age, gender, hospitalization ward, lymphocyte count, and computed tomography (CT) scan findings were extracted from medical records. Results: The mean lung involvement score was 36.8±22.34. The mean lymphocyte count in these patients was 1229.25±536.80 µL. Lymphopenia was observed in 79 patients (64%). No relationship was seen between HRCT findings and lymphopenia in patients with COVID-19 (P=0.31). Although a significant relationship was seen between HRCT findings and lymphopenia in females (P<0.05), there was no relationship between HRCT findings and lymphopenia, regarding age, male gender, and hospitalization wards (P>0.05). Conclusion: There was no significant relationship between HRCT and lymphopenia findings, and parameters such as age and inpatient ward in patients with Covid-19. However, there was an interesting relationship between lymphopenia and lung involvement in women; therefore, more studies are needed to prove this hypothesis.