Abstract:
Background: In addition to the highly variable clinical presentation of acute COVID-19 infection, it can also cause various post-acute signs and symptoms. This study aimed to evaluate patients with post-acute COVID-19 over 12 weeks of follow-up.
Methods: The study included 151 patients who were diagnosed with COVID-19 by real-time PCR of a nasopharyngeal swab 1 month earlier, had radiologic findings consistent with COVID-19 pneumonia, and presented to the post-COVID-19 outpatient clinic between May and August 2021. The patients were divided into three groups based on COVID-19 severity: non-severe pneumonia (group 1), severe pneumonia (group 2), and severe pneumonia requiring intensive care (group 3).
Results: Evaluation of laboratory parameters at 4 and 12 weeks showed that group 3 had higher lactose dehydrogenase (LDH) level and lower mean platelet volume than the other groups at both time points (p=0.001 for all). Group 3 also had lower FVC%, FEV1%, and DLCO/VA% compared to groups 1 and 2 at week 4 (p=0.001, 0.004, 0.001, respectively) and compared to group 1 at 12 weeks (p=0.002, 0.03, 0.001, respectively). Patients with persistent dyspnea at 12 weeks had significantly lower FEV1%, FVC%, DLCO/VA%, and saturation levels in room air and significantly higher LDH, pro-BNP, D-dimer, and heart rate compared to those without dyspnea (p=0.001 for all).
Conclusion: Although the lungs are most commonly affected after COVID-19 infection, vascular and endothelial damage also causes multisystem involvement. Our study indicates that laboratory values, radiological signs, and pulmonary functional capacity improved in most patients after 12 weeks of follow-up. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Source: Kerget B, Çelik E, Kerget F, Aksakal A, Uçar EY, Araz Ö, Akgün M. Evaluation of 3-month follow-up of patients with post-acute COVID-19 syndrome. J Med Virol. 2022 Jan 9. doi: 10.1002/jmv.27579. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35001367. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35001367/