Laboratory and imaging features associated with LBAI
The likelihood of cumulative LBAI among COVID-19 patients varied with
the laboratory parameters and chest CT imaging features, as shown in
table 1. Patients with abnormal counts of blood cells at admission were
more prone to later develop cumulative LBAI, especially decreased
lymphocyte count (OR 4.10; 95% CI 2.74 to 6.12) and elevated neutrophil
count (OR 2.29; 95% CI 1.50 to 3.49). Most biochemical indices at
admission indicated the subsequent incidence of cumulative LBAI, such as
elevated γ-Glutamyl transferase (GGT), decreased albumin, elevated
C-reactive protein. Abnormal coagulation parameters were strongly
associated with cumulative LBAI, especially the increase of D-dimer
levels, which suggested a 5-fold increase in the likelihood of
cumulative LBAI. Serum ferritin, an index of inflammation, also showed a
positive association with cumulative incidence of LBAI (OR 6.91; 95% CI
3.8 to 12.57). The presence of bilateral lesions, ground-glass shadows,
consolidation, or pleural effusion on CT images all suggested an
increased risk of cumulative LBAI (all p values < 0.05).