International Journal of Infectious Diseases (Nov 2021)

Follow-up study on COVID-19 survivors one year after discharge from hospital

  • Yumiao Zhao,
  • Chunxia Yang,
  • Xiaocai An,
  • Yajun Xiong,
  • Yaomin Shang,
  • Jiarong He,
  • Yan Qiu,
  • Ning Zhang,
  • Lisha Huang,
  • Junli Jia,
  • Qinfu Xu,
  • Long Zhang,
  • Junjie Zhao,
  • Guangzhong Pei,
  • Hong Luo,
  • Jun Wang,
  • Qingquan Li,
  • Yanfeng Gao,
  • Aiguo Xu

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 112
pp. 173 – 182

Abstract

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Objective: To evaluate the long-term consequences of COVID-19 survivors one year after recovery, and to identify the risk factors associated with abnormal patterns in chest imaging manifestations or impaired lung function. Methods: COVID-19 patients were recruited and prospectively followed up with symptoms, health-related quality of life, psychological questionnaires, 6-minute walking test, chest computed tomography (CT), pulmonary function tests, and blood tests. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association between the clinical characteristics and chest CT abnormalities or pulmonary function. Results: Ninety-four patients with COVID-19 were recruited between January 16 and February 6, 2021. Muscle fatigue and insomnia were the most common symptoms. Chest CT scans were abnormal in 71.28% of participants. The results of multivariable regression showed an increased odds in age. Ten patients had diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) impairment. Urea nitrogen concentration on admission was significantly associated with impaired DLCO. IgG levels and neutralizing activity were significantly lower compared with those in the early phase. Conclusions: One year after hospitalization for COVID-19, a cohort of survivors were mainly troubled with muscle fatigue and insomnia. Pulmonary structural abnormalities and pulmonary diffusion capacities were highly prevalent in surviving COVID-19 patients. It is necessary to intervene in the main target population for long-term recovery.

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