Materials and methods
One hundred fifty-five Covid-19 patients were included in this study. A
confirmed case with COVID-19 was defined as a positive result to
real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase-chain-reaction (RT-PCR) assay
for nasal and pharyngeal swab specimens [15]. Written informed
consent was obtained from all the patients that participated in this
study, and the local ethics committee of Bulent Ecevit University,
Faculty of Medicine approved the study. Patients with Covid-19 were
grouped according to the severity of the disease. Clinical
characteristics of patients are shown in Table 1. COVID-19 severity is
classified as follows; Mild type: Outpatients, the clinical symptoms are
mild, with no abnormal radiological findings, Moderate type:
Hospitalized for persistent fever or pneumonia or mild respiratory
distress or present pneumonia on chest CT, Severe type: The disease is
classified as severe if one of the following conditions is met:
- Respiratory distress, respiratory rate ≥30/min.
- Oxygen saturation on room air at rest ≤93%.
- The partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood/FiO2 ≤300 mm Hg.
- Respiratory failure occurs and mechanical ventilation is required.
- Another organ dysfunction is present, requiring ICU monitoring and
treatment.