Increasing False Negative RT-PCR Test in COVID-19 Patients Admitted at Tertiary Care Hospital: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 Pandemic has caused a lot of havoc for the human race, as the urgent need to detect the virus early and fight back stronger, scientists came up with the test RT-PCR, which later on was declared as the gold standard. But lately, an exponential increase in false-negative rates was observed, which calls for an accuracy check of the test and the statistical analysis of the reasons leading false-positive results. With the advent of the COVID-19 Pandemic, RT-PCR testing has become the gold standard for laboratory diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection. But the second wave of COVID-19 in India has reported a high number of false-negative RT-PCR results. This calls for the need to measure the accuracy of the test in diagnosing infection, especially considering rise in variant strains each with its own virulence and infectivity. Imaging methods like HRCT and biochemical tests such as CRP, D-Dimer are being used increasingly by doctors to support the serological diagnostic method of Covid and draft further treatment protocols Objectives: To measure the false negative rates of RT-PCR in COVID-19 Patients. To find the epidemiology of the root cause. Methodology: For this Retrospective Cross-sectional study, sample size of 1998 with prevalence of 7894/million population and confidence interval of  95% we would be analysing  patients of Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences TCH admitted in the months of April to June 2021  with suspected COVID-19 Infection. Results: Increasing cases of false negative RT-PCR reports would be found. Conclusion: There is an urgent need for the reality check on efficacy of RT-PCR Test Reports.