CRP used to rapidly evaluate SARS-CoV-2 infection status of patients presenting at the ED with respiratory symptoms

“A corona score“ including CRP was developed for rapid and efficient triage of COVID -19 status in emergency department patients in the Netherlands.

Overcrowding of ED’s and need for isolation during pandemic necessitates rapid triage of patients. A cohort of 967 patients was used to develop and validate a corona score in this multicenter study. CRP together with four other routine laboratory parameters (lactate dehydrogenase, ferritin, absolute neutrophil and lymphocyte counts), X-ray, age and sex were included in the score. Concentrations between 39 and 69 mg/l produce the highest points for CRP – range reported also elsewhere to reflect severe COVID-19 infection.

The score resulted in 96 % of sensitivity and 95 % of specificity and could effectively predict SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR results. Sensitivity of the score even exceeded that of initial RT-PCR result. The score has already been implemented in the ED of several hospitals in the Netherlands.

Full study here.