International Journal of Infectious Diseases (Feb 2023)

Long-term outcomes of COVID-19 convalescents: An 18.5-month longitudinal study in Wuhan

  • Yi Guo,
  • Hao Wang,
  • Mingzhong Xiao,
  • Xin Guan,
  • Yanshou Lei,
  • Tingyue Diao,
  • Pinpin Long,
  • Rui Zeng,
  • Xuefeng Lai,
  • Hao Cai,
  • Yutong You,
  • Yuying Wen,
  • Wenhui Li,
  • Xi Wang,
  • Yufei Wang,
  • Qinlin Chen,
  • Yuchan Yang,
  • Yutong Qiu,
  • Jishuai Chen,
  • Huidan Zeng,
  • Wei Ni,
  • Youyun Zhao,
  • Kani Ouyang,
  • Jingzhi Wang,
  • Qi Wang,
  • Li Liu,
  • Lulu Song,
  • Youjie Wang,
  • Huan Guo,
  • Xiaodong Li,
  • Tangchun Wu,
  • Yu Yuan

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 127
pp. 85 – 92

Abstract

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Objectives: This study aimed to describe the full scope of long-term outcomes and the ongoing pathophysiological alterations among COVID-19 survivors. Methods: We established a longitudinal cohort of 208 COVID-19 convalescents and followed them at 3.3 (interquartile range [IQR]: 1.3, 4.4, visit 1), 9.2 (IQR: 9.0, 9.6, visit 2), and 18.5 (IQR: 18.2, 19.1, visit 3) months after infection, respectively. Serial changes in multiple physical and psychological outcomes were comprehensively characterized. We, in addition, explored the potential risk factors of SARS-CoV-2 antibody response and sequelae symptoms. Results: We observed continuous improvement of sequelae symptoms, lung function, chest computed tomography (CT), 6-minute walk test, and the Borg dyspnea scale, whereas sequelae symptoms (at least one) and abnormal chest CT patterns still existed in 45.2% and about 30% of participants at 18.5 months, respectively. Anxiety and depression disorders were alleviated for the convalescents, although depression status was sustained for a longer duration. Conclusions: Most COVID-19 convalescents had an overall improved physical and psychological health status, whereas sequelae symptoms, residual lesions on lung function, exercise impairment, and mental health disorders were still observed in a small proportion of participants at 18.5 months after infection. Implementing appropriate preventive and management strategies for the ever-growing COVID-19 population is warranted.

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