POST COVID LUNG-NOT ALL IS LOST: FOLLOW-UP & ANALYSIS

Abstract

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is an ongoing global healthcare challenge. Up to one-third of hospitalised patients develop severe pulmonary complications and a variety of symptoms affecting other organs. Pulmonary and health outcomes following COVID-19 are unknown. This study is a ret Methods: rospective observational study investigating pulmonary sequelae of COVID-19. We report the follow-up of cases who suffered from covid-19 and were symptomatic at followup. The covid-19 disease severity was classied as mild, moderate and severe according to WHO classication. Eighty COVID-19 Results: survivors were included (mild/moderate n=34, severe=46). We conrmed several comorbidities as risk factors for severe disease. Severe disease was associated with impaired pulmonary function. Restrictive abnormality was seen in 53(66.25%) patients. Mean FVC(SD) was 69.87%(16.42%). Mean FEV1 of 72.7% (20.62%). Twenty-eight patients had a baseline (during the covid admission) and on a follow-up HRCT thorax. All patients had changes of COVID-19 with CT severity ranging from 12/25 to 22/25 during the active covid illness. Out of 28, CT was suggestive of near complete radiological resolution of the disease in 17 (61%),while 11 (39%) patients had a partial radiological resolution, none showed progression of the disease. The survivors recovered well at follow-up from respira Conclusions: tory aspects. Respiratory sequelae were documented but without much pulmonary disability. A systematic long term follow-up for survivors is needed to assess subsequent long term sequelae if any with regard to the respiratory system.