Clinical characteristics and abnormal parameters evolution in patients with novel coronavirus infection: a case series of 272 cases in Guangzhou

Objective To present the clinical characteristics and dynamic changes in laboratory parameters of the COVID-19 in Guangzhou, and explore the probable early warning indicators of disease progressing. Method We enrolled all the patients diagnosed as COVID-19 in the Guangzhou No. 8 People’s Hospital. The patients’ demographic, and epidemiologic data were collected, including chief complaints, lab results and imaging examination. Results The characteristics of the patients in Guangzhou are different from that in Wuhan. They were younger in age, female dominated, not commonly combined with other disease. 75% of patients suffered fever on admission, followed by cough occurring in 62% patients. By comparing the mild/normal and severe/critical patients, male, aged, combined with hypertension, abnormal in blood routine result, raised creatine kinase, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase, CRP, procalcitonin, D-dimer, fibrinogen, APTT, and positive in proteinuria can be candidate of early warning indicators to severe disease. Conclusion The patients in outside epidemic areas showed different characteristics from that in Wuhan. The abnormal laboratory parameters were markedly changed in 4 weeks after admission, and also shown different between the mild and severe patients. The highest specificity and sensitivity potential early warning indicators of severe disease need more evidence to confirm.