Associations between COVID-19 symptoms, chest X-Ray, and patient characteristics: A Comprehensive Analysis

Background : COVID-19 pneumonia has diverse clinical, radiographic, and prognostic characteristics. Understanding the interactions between patient demographics, comorbidities, symptoms, imaging findings and outcomes is essential for clinical management. Objectives : This study explored the correlations between demographics, comorbidities, clinical presentation, chest imaging findings, and clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. Methods : This retrospective study included 293 patients with confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia. Clinical data and radiographic findings from initial and follow-up chest X-ray (CXR) images were analyzed, focusing on consolidation, ground-glass opacities, pleural effusion, and lobar distributions. Associations were examined using statistical tests, with p<0.05 considered to be significant. Results : Patients were predominantly male (57%) with a median age of 57 years. Common symptoms included fever (68%), cough (68%), and shortness of breath (62%). Diabetes (44%) and hypertension (45%) were the most common comorbidities. Initial radiographs showed consolidation (56%) and ground-glass opacities (51%), mainly in the bilateral lower lobes. Follow-up imaging revealed increased pleural effusion (9% to 85%) and bilateral involvement (37% to 53%). The ground-glass opacities increased to 62%. Significant associations were observed between higher BMI and multiple symptoms and between pneumonia severity and clinical symptoms (p<0.001). Diabetes was correlated with diarrhea (p=0.035), and asthma was correlated with headache (p=0.010). Severe pneumonia was correlated with increased radiographic abnormalities and worse outcomes, with a mortality rate of 14 %. Conclusion : This study examined the radiographic findings in COVID-19 pneumonia and their correlation with clinical manifestations and comorbidities. Chest imaging is crucial for monitoring disease progression in severe cases.