<![CDATA[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.]]>
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