Abstract
Background: The long-term impact of COVID-19 is still unknown. This study aimed to explore post COVID-19 effects on patients chest computed tomography (CT), lung function, respiratory symptoms, fatigue, functional capacity, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and the ability to return to work beyond 3 months post infection. Methods: A systematic search was performed on PubMed, Web of Science, and Ovid MEDLINE on 22 May 2021, to identify studies that reported persistent effects of COVID-19 beyond 3 months follow-up. Data on the proportion of patients who had the outcome were collected and analyzed using a one-group meta-analysis. Results: Data were extracted from 24 articles that presented information on a total of 5323 adults, post-infection, between 3 to 6 months after symptom onset or hospital discharge. The pooled prevalence of CT abnormalities was 59% (95% CI 44–73, I2 = 96%), abnormal lung function was 39% (95% CI 24–55, I2 = 94%), fatigue was 38% (95% CI 27–49, I2 = 98%), dyspnea was 32% (95% CI 24–40, I2 = 98%), chest paint/tightness was 16% (95% CI 12–21, I2 = 94%), and cough was 13%, (95% CI 9–17, I2 = 94%). Decreased functional capacity and HRQoL were found in 36% (95% CI 22–49, I2 = 97%) and 52% (95% CI 33–71, I2 = 94%), respectively. On average, 8 out of 10 of the patients had returned to work or reported no work impairment. Conclusion: Post-COVID-19 patients may experience persistent respiratory symptoms, fatigue, decreased functional capacity and decreased quality of life up to 6 months after infection. Further studies are needed to establish the extent to which post-COVID-19 effects continue beyond 6 months, how they interact with each other, and to clarify their causes and their effective management.
Highlights
The long-term impact of COVID-19 is still unknown
The most common pulmonary function impairment identified at a 1 year time point was of the forced expiratory volume (FEV1) and diffusing lung capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) which were still abnormal in 18.2% and 52.7%
The aim of this study is to explore persistent effects of COVID-19 beyond 3 months follow-up on patient chest computed tomography (CT), lung function, respiratory symptoms, fatigue, functional capacity, quality of life, and the ability to return to work
Summary
This study aimed to explore post COVID-19 effects on patients chest computed tomography (CT), lung function, respiratory symptoms, fatigue, functional capacity, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and the ability to return to work beyond 3 months post infection. The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, has spread rapidly worldwide reaching over 191 million confirmed cases, including 4.1 million deaths as of 21 July 2021 [1]. Evidence from literature on viral pneumonia indicates that many recovered patients have significant lung changes and are affected by acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which can negatively impact their lung, physical function and quality of life for months or years [4,5]. Biomedicines 2021, 9, 900 syndrome (SARS) caused by a SARS coronavirus that was identified in 2003 report longterm decreases in pulmonary function, including reduced lung volume measurement in. The most common pulmonary function impairment identified at a 1 year time point was of the forced expiratory volume (FEV1) and diffusing lung capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) which were still abnormal in 18.2% and 52.7%
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