The Sensitivity and Specificity of Chest X-ray in COVID-19 Patients Keeping HRCT as Gold Standard
Keywords:
covid 19, CXR, HRCTAbstract
Objective: To determine sensitivity & specificity of chest X-ray in COVID-19, taking High-Resolution Computed Tomography as
gold standard.
Study Design: Cross-sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: Radiology Deptt, Margalla Hospital, Taxila and Islamabad Diagnostic Centre, Wah. Two years
(February 2020 to February 2022).
Patients and Methods: The sample comprised 100 COVID-19 patients (Positive Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test). Their HighResolution Computed Tomography (HRCT) was done which was considered a gold standard for diagnosing COVID-19. Their
Chest X-rays (CXR) were performed, and findings of both modalities were compared. Patients having respiratory tract symptoms
but PCR negative for COVID-19 were excluded.
Results: The research had 49 males & 51 females having a median (IQR) age of 46.50(35-55.75) years. The minimum & maximum
ages were 6 years and 83 years respectively. Among 100 PCR-positive patients, 29 were found normal on HRCT and 30 on CXR.
For moderate cases, the chest X-rays were 72% sensitive & 90.67% specific, with Positive Predictive Value (PPV), Negative Predictive
Value (NPV) & diagnostic efficacy of 72%,90.67% & 86% respectively. Similarly, other severity levels were assessed.
Conclusion: CXR has acceptable diagnostic accuracy for COVID-19 patients, especially with good sensitivity for moderate cases
and better specificity for severe cases. A portable chest radiograph might be regarded as an initial alternative imaging modality for
patients with COVID-19 signs and symptoms in remote areas.
Key words: COVID-19, CXR , HRCT
How to cite this article: Abdullah U, Tariq N, Rizwan A, et al. Diagnostic accuracy of chest x-ray in covid -19 patients taking highresolution computed tomography as gold standard. HMDJ. 2024; 04(01): 04-07. doi: 10.69884/hmdj.4.1.8943