Recovery after admission with COVID-19 pneumonia-A follow-up study

Introduction: We performed this study to describe clinical, radiological and pulmonary function outcomes of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia 1 year after discharge from hospital.Methods: This is a prospective longitudinal study on patients admitted with COVID-19 pneumonia in March and April 2020. 162 patients were classified as moderate, severe or critical. Symptoms and pulmonary func-tion were assessed at 3 months and 1 year after discharge. Chest CT scans were made during hospital admis-sion, at 3 months and, in case of persistent radiological abnormalities, after 1 year.Results: 54% of patients reported full recovery of their pre-illness fitness after 1 year. 53% still reported exer-tional dyspnoea, independent of illness severity. DLCOc < 80% after 1 year was found in 74% of critical, 50% of severe and 38% of moderate cases. For KCOc<80%, no between-group difference was found. Restriction (TLC<80%) was found in 28% of critical, 5% of severe, and 13% of moderate cases. At baseline, chest CT score was significantly higher for the critical illness group, but after 1 year, there was no significant difference. Most resolution of abnormalities occurred before 3 months. A high prevalence of fibrotic lesions (24%) and subpleural banding (27%) was found.Conclusion/clinical implication: A large proportion of patients experience consequences of COVID-19 pneumo-nia one year after discharge, irrespective of initial disease severity. Follow-up of patients admitted with COVID-19 is therefore warranted. An evaluation of symptoms, pulmonary function and radiology three months after discharge can discriminate between patients with early complete recovery and those with per-sistent abnormalities.& COPY; 2023 SPLF and Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.