The spread of novel coronavirus pneumonia can be seen globally. The goal of the present study is to summarize the clinical and CT imaging features of COVID-19 and their dissimilarities in three age groups. The study included 307 patients with COVID-19, and their clinical and CT data were classified into three groups (Group 1: < 40 years old; Group 2: 40 ≤ age < 60 years old; Group 3: ≥ 60 years old) according to age, which were evaluated retrospectively.

The results showed that among all patients, 114 (37.1%) had histories of epidemiological exposure, 48 (15.6%) were severe/critical cases, 31 had hypertension (10.1%), 15 had diabetes mellitus (4.9%), 3 had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD, 1%). Severe/critical type, hypertension and diabetes reported more frequently in the elderly group in contrast to Group 1 and 2. Cough and chest tightness/pain were more frequently seen in Group 2 and 3 in contrast to Group 1. Abnormal laboratory examination indexes including CRP increase, abnormal percentage of lymphocytes, neutrophils and monocytes were seen in Group 3 in comparison to Group 1 and 2. CT images showed that more lobes were involved and more subpleural lesions were reported in the elderly group than other groups. Additionally, crazy paving sign, bronchodilatation and pleural thickening were more commonly seen in the elderly group, with substantial variation between Group 1&2, Group 2&3.

Thus, the study concluded that although COVID-19 exhibited representative clinical manifestations, laboratory examinations and CT findings, three different age groups showed their own particular characteristics. Therefore, understanding of clinical and CT features categorized by age could aid in the prompt diagnosis of COVID-19.

Source: Wang J, Zhu X, Xu Z, et al. Clinical and CT findings of COVID-19: differences among three age groups. BMC Infectious Diseases. 2020. Available at: https://bmcinfectdis.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12879-020-05154-9