ABSTRACT
Background: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic remains a constant challenge for healthcare systems and affects the well-being of many individuals. The objective of the current study is to determine the parameters that can predict post COVID-19 sequale and incidence of post Covid sequale among Covid survivor's patients attending post covid outpatient clinic. Patients and methods: This was a case control study carried out on 60 COVID-19 survivors whom were recovered from the acute illness and discharged for follow-up at the post covid out-patient clinic at Zagazig University. The sixty patients included in the study were divided to Group I: (Asymptomatic patients): include 30 patients whom were discharged for follow-up and in whom no significant symptoms or signs were reported during the study. Group II: (Symptomatic patients): include 30 patients whom were discharged for follow-up and in whom there were significant symptoms or signs during the study. Results: There is statistically significantly association between initial parameters high (CRP, D-dimer, ferritin, LDH, IL6) and low Lymphocytes. Post covid degree of lung affection in chest CT scan where Grade ≥5 (severe lung affection) prevailed in 63.3% and 20% in those with and without post covid syndrome, respectively, while Grade <2 (less sever lung affection) was more dominant in those without post covid (30% vs. 6.7%). Conclusion: Persistence of symptoms is common after the acute phase of COVID-19 infection. Post covid syndrome occurs regardless of the disease severity. High CRP, LDH, ferritn, D-dimer, and IL6, low Lymphocytes and degree of lung affection at diagnosis of acute covid19 may be good predictors for the occurrence of post covid syndrome. © 2022, Ain Shams University Faculty of Medicine. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the pathogen responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which has resulted in global healthcare crises and strained health resources. As the population of patients recovering from COVID-19 grows, it is paramount to establish an understanding of the healthcare issues surrounding them. COVID-19 is now recognized as a multi-organ disease with a broad spectrum of manifestations. Similarly to post-acute viral syndromes described in survivors of other virulent coronavirus epidemics, there are increasing reports of persistent and prolonged effects after acute COVID-19. Patient advocacy groups, many members of which identify themselves as long haulers, have helped contribute to the recognition of post-acute COVID-19, a syndrome characterized by persistent symptoms and/or delayed or long-term complications beyond 4 weeks from the onset of symptoms. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of the current literature on post-acute COVID-19, its pathophysiology and its organ-specific sequelae. Finally, we discuss relevant considerations for the multidisciplinary care of COVID-19 survivors and propose a framework for the identification of those at high risk for post-acute COVID-19 and their coordinated management through dedicated COVID-19 clinics. Copyright © 2022, Anka Publishers. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Background: COVID-19 pneumonia is responsible for the latest pandemics. Chest computed tomography (CT) scan is known to be an essential tool for diagnosis of COVID-19. In this research, the relationship between on-admission chest CT severity score, capillary blood oxygen saturation level, and laboratory inflammatory markers results in patients with SARS-COV-2 pneumonia was investigated. Methods: This prospective analytical study was conducted in COVID-19 isolation unit, Zagazig University Hospitals, from 1st to end of April 2021. Adult patients with COVID-19 infection were included. Chest CT scan was performed for all patients, and CT severity score was computed. The initial capillary oxygen saturation was also assessed at the time of admission. The information was gathered and analyzed. Results: A total number of 305 COVID-19 patients were involved in the study with the following data: age, gender, presence of co morbidities, capillary blood oxygen saturation, laboratory tests including absolute lymphocytic count, CRP, D-dimer and ferritin levels, as well as chest CT severity score. Based on chest CT severity score, we found that 110 cases (36.1%) were mild, 163 cases (53.4%) were moderate, and 32 cases (10.5%) were severe, with significant male predominance among moderate and severe cases. The initial measurements of blood oxygen saturation values revealed that mean blood oxygen saturation was 95.6% among mild to moderate cases and 85.4% among severe cases. Furthermore, there was a high statistically significant negative correlation between chest CT severity score and absolute lymphocytic count of studied cases, while there was a statistically significant positive correlation with D-dimer, CRP and ferritin levels. Conclusions: CT scans can help clinicians in developing a management strategy and serve as a predictor of illness severity and possible outcomes. In individuals with COVID-19 infection, the severity of a chest CT scan is positively correlated to inflammatory markers and oxygen demand.