Post COVID-19 HRCT Thorax sequalae, a one year follow up study

Abstract

Introduction: The COVID-19 affected millions globally. Common residual symptoms on are fatigue, joint pain, dyspnoea and myalgia. Most common complications of COVID-19 in hospitalized patients include respiratory failure, thromboembolic events and new onset diabetes, Aim: To assess the residual clinical and radiological findings in post COVID-19 patients for 1-year period. Material and Methods: All RT-PCR confirmed post COVID-19 patients were clinically and radiologically followed and evaluated for a period of 1 year.. Results: Out of total 93 patients enrolled, 66%(n=61) were male and 34% (n=32) were females with Mean age of 32+/-12 years. 28% (n=25) patients had mild disease, 20% (n=20) had moderate and 52% (n=48) had severe disease. Average length of hospital stay was 10+\-3 days in. Breathlessness, joint pain and fatigue were common residual symptoms. New onset diabetes was observed in 5 patients out of total 21 total diabetic patients and hypertension in 20%(n=18) patients. At 1st visit (4th week), CT severity CORAD score 2 was most common observed score in 36.5% of patients and majority had bilateral distribution of disease. At 48th week (last visit) CT severity CORAD score 1 was most common observed score in 62.9. GGO was the most common finding on 1st, 2nd and 3rd follow up visit. Fibrotic changes like inter lobular septal thickening (11.8%), reticular pattern (6.4%) and crazy paving pattern (9.6%) were present on 1st follow up Conclusion: Majority of the patients who had severe form of disease had persistent residual symptoms of fatigue, breathlessness and joint pain. Most of the patients had natural resolution of findings on HRCT thorax without any intervention like anti-fibrotic medication.