Clinical Characteristics of 92,800 Patients with Confirmed Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Infection: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Published 12th October 2020
Sun, Jing and Chi, Cheng and Li, Cheng and Buys, Nicholas and Yin, Chenghong
Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is challenging healthcare systems worldwide and threatening global health. Understanding its clinical characteristics is crucial in treating and protecting people from infection.
Methods: We searched all relevant literature published January to 31 July 2020 and conducted a single-arm meta-analysis using a random-effects model. Clinical symptoms, comorbid conditions, laboratory outcomes, and radiographic characteristics of COVID-19 patients were assessed. The study was registered in the PROSPERO database, with the registration number CRD42016033063.
Findings: The present meta-analysis included 41 studies with 92,800 COVID-19 patients from 17 countries across the world. The most common symptoms were fever (0·70, 95% CI 0·64–0·75) and cough (0·56, 95% CI 0.52–0.60). The laboratory analysis showed that C-reactive protein and D-dimer levels increased to 47·03 mg/L (95% CI 42·51–51·56) and 0·58 ng/mL (95% CI 0·50–0·65), respectively. Most patients (0·48, 95% CI 0·39–0·58) showed ground-glass opacities (GGO) or GGO with consolidation (0·47, 95% CI 0·36–0·58) on imaging.
Interpretation: Fever and cough are the most common symptoms; dysgeusia and anosmia should also be noted. Although common laboratory tests show poor efficacy in COVID-19 diagnosis, D-dimer levels are increased significantly at early stages. The most common radiographic sign is GGO with or without consolidation.
