Comparison of the clinical parameters of patients with COVID-19 and influenza using blood test data: a retrospective cross-sectional survey. Issue 2 (February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fukui, Sayato; Inui, Akihiro; Saita, Mizue; Kobayashi, Daiki; Naito, Toshio
• Is Part Of: Journal of international medical research. Volume 50:Issue 2(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-02
• Subjects: Clinical feature -- coronavirus disease 2019 -- influenza -- severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 -- blood testing -- malaise -- breathing difficulty -- leukocytosis -- nausea; Medicine -- Periodicals; Pharmacology -- Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.1177/03000605221083751
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0300-0605

Abstract

Objective: The characteristic features, including blood test data, of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) versus influenza have not been defined. We therefore compared the clinical parameters, including blood test data, of COVID-19 and influenza. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional survey was conducted at Juntendo University Nerima Hospital. We recruited patients diagnosed with COVID-19 between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2020 who underwent blood tests. For comparison, we recruited an equivalent number of patients who were diagnosed with influenza and who underwent blood tests. Results: During the study period, 228 patients (male:female, 123 [54.0%]:105 [46.0%]; age, 54.68 ± 18.98 years) were diagnosed with COVID-19. We also recruited 228 patients with influenza (male:female, 129 [56.6%]:99 [43.4%]; age, 69.6 ± 21.25 years). An age of 15 to 70 years (vs. 71 years), breathing difficulty, and malaise were significantly more common in patients with COVID-19 than in those with influenza. However, nausea, body temperature >38.1°C, and white blood cell count >9000/μL were more common in patients with influenza. Conclusions: Our results are useful for differentiating COVID-19 from influenza, and these findings will be extremely helpful for future practice as we learn to coexist with COVID-19.