The Development of Ogunlade COVID-19 Diagnostic Criteria (OCDC) and OCRAS for Management of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic

Department of Physiological Sciences,College of Health Sciences,Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria

^*Corresponding Author

Department of Physiological Sciences,

College of Health Sciences,

Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State

Nigeria

Email:ogunladeomotomilayo@gmail.com

Abstract

Objective: To develop clinical diagnostic criteria and a risk assessment score for management of COVID-19 suspected cases or contacts.

Methods: Literature on the manifestations, risk factors and co-morbidities of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) were reviewed extensively to identify the key variables useful for the disease diagnosis and risk profiling. The variables were sub-classified into major and minor criteria for synthesis into clinical diagnostic criteria. The variables closely related to COVID-19 were allocated graded score points which were summed up to form Ogunlade COVID-19 Risk Assessment Score (OCRAS) for risk profiling. The total score was stratified into four levels of risk and presented in a coloured-coded risk stratification chart. In order to allow for daily monitoring of the risk level per time, new chart was developed to incorporate inputs of OCRAS on daily basis.

Results: This study evolved Ogunlade COVID-19 Diagnostic Criteria(OCDC) and Ogunlade COVID-19 Risk Assessment Score (OCRAS) as clinical diagnostic and risk profiling tools respectively. OCDC were made up of 5 major and 12 minor criteria. Using OCDC, the diagnosis of COVID-19 should be made clinically in the presence of at least 4 (3 major plus 1 minor or 1 major plus 3 minor) criteria. The minimum and maximum values of OCRAS were 24 and 72 respectively. The individual’s OCRAS should be stratified into four levels of risk using the COVID-19 Risk Stratification Chart (CRSC). The COVID-19 Risk Monitoring Chart (CRMC) was generated for daily monitoring of the OCRAS values for 14 days.

Conclusion: The paper reported the development of a simple-to-use clinical diagnostic criteria and a unique risk assessment score for clinical decision making in the management of COVID-19. Nations with less developed health system or serious health infrastructure deficit will find the innovations helpful to break the chains of community transmission of COVID-19.

Keywords: Development, Ogunlade, Diagnostic Criteria, OCRAS, COVID-19, Pandemic

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