SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Rapid Test in The EmergencyDepartment; a Diagnostic Accuracy Study

Rapid antigen tests have gained importance during the COVID-19 pandemic due to low prices and availability. The present study investigated the performance of the SARS-CoV-2 rapid diagnostic test in diagnosing patients with COVID-19 referred to the emergency department.

In this diagnostic accuracy study, patients with suspected COVID-19 referred to Imam Hossein and Shohadaye Tajrish Hospitals, Tehran, Iran, were examined. All patients were subjected to a rapid corona test according to the manufacturer’s guide and a chest computed tomography (CT) scan as the standard test. The screening characteristics of the rapid test compared to CT scan were calculated and reported.

183 people with an average age of 46.83 ± 14.26 (range: 21-83) years entered the study. 141 suspected cases of COVID-19 (77%) had evidence of lung involvement in CT, and the rapid test was positive in 83 (45%) cases. Out of 83 patients who tested positive for COVID-19, all (100%) had positive chest CT findings. Out of the 100 patients who tested negative, 42 patients (42%) had negative chest CT findings, and 58 patients (58%) had positive CT scans. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the mentioned test were 58.86, 100.00, and 68.30 percent, respectively.

Due to the relatively low sensitivity, the Rapid SARS-CoV-2 antigen test fails to screen for SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, it can be used to confirmthe presence of the disease in symptomatic individuals and reduce virus transmission during the COVID-19 pandemic.