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Abstract

Introduction. COVID-19 pneumonia caused by SARS-CoV-2 leads to extensive pulmonary infiltrates. The Radiographic Assessment of Lung Edema (RALE) score is a quantitative radiological tool to evaluate the severity of lung lesions. Meanwhile, elevated D-dimer levels reflect coagulation and fibrinolysis activation. This study aimed to analyze the correlation between the initial RALE score on chest radiography and D-dimer levels upon hospital admission.

Methods. An analytical observational study with a cross-sectional design was conducted on hospitalized COVID-19 patients at Dr. Moewardi Hospital, Surakarta, from March to July 2021. A total of 98 patients were selected via simple random sampling based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. RALE scoring was performed by a single trained observer to ensure intra-observer consistency.

Results. The mean RALE score was 20,99 (SD 15,24). The mean D-dimer level was 4,343.17 ng/mL with 90 patients (91.8%) presenting with elevated D-dimer levels (≥ 500 ng/mL). Spearman’s rho correlation test revealed a statistically significant, positive, but weak correlation between RALE score and D-dimer levels upon admission (p = 0,018; r = 0,239).

Conclusion. There is a significant positive weak correlation between chest radiograph RALE scores and D-dimer levels in COVID-19 patients upon hospital admission.

Bahasa Abstract

Pendahuluan. Pneumonia COVID-19 akibat infeksi SARS-CoV-2 menyebabkan infiltrat luas pada paru. Skor Radiographic Assessment of Lung Edema (RALE) merupakan metode penilaian radiologis kuantitatif untuk mengukur tingkat keparahan lesi parenkim paru. Sementara itu, peningkatan kadar D-dimer mencerminkan aktivasi koagulasi dan fibrinolisis. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis hubungan antara skor RALE gambaran foto toraks dengan kadar D-dimer saat pasien awal masuk rumah sakit. 

Metode. Penelitian observasional analitik dengan desain potong lintang dilakukan pada pasien rawat inap terkonfirmasi COVID-19 di RSUD dr. Moewardi Surakarta periode Maret–Juli 2021. Sampel sebanyak 98 pasien dipilih menggunakan teknik simple random sampling pada populasi yang memenuhi kriteria inklusi dan eksklusi. Penilaian skor RALE dilakukan oleh penilai terlatih tunggal (intra-observer consistency) pada foto toraks admisi.  

Hasil. Rerata skor RALE subjek adalah 20,99 (SB 15,24). Rerata kadar D-dimer sebesar 4.343,17 ng/mL, dengan 90 pasien (91,8%) mengalami hiperkoagulasi (D-dimer ≥ 500 ng/mL). Uji korelasi Spearman’s rho menunjukkan hubungan signifikan yang searah dengan kekuatan lemah antara skor RALE dan kadar D-dimer saat admisi (p = 0,018; r = 0,239).

Kesimpulan. Terdapat hubungan positif yang signifikan lemah antara skor RALE gambaran foto toraks dengan kadar D-dimer pada pasien COVID-19 saat awal masuk rumah sakit. 

Kata Kunci: COVID-19, D-dimer, imunotrombosis, RALE score, SARS-CoV-2

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