ABSTRACT
Introduction: The occurrence of the late effects of covid-19(long-covid)is a hot issue. Detailed data on its forms within the population are still lacking. Aim(s): We want to describe the long-covid in the population of the Czech Republic(CR)in relation to the covid severity. Method(s): Prospective collection of data on consecutive patients(pts)sent by GPs to pulmonologists started since June,21. The interim analysis concerns pts enrolled by February,22. The analysis was based on data collected in Information System of Infectious Diseases of the CR, especially its long-covid module. The 44 outpatient centers cover all 14regions of the CR and represent 13% of all(343)outpatient clinics of pulmonologists, they are responsible for the care of long-covid pts in the CR. Result(s): 3.489pts have been included in the study so far. After the removal of 40%pts with significant comorbidities,1.895"healthy"post-covid individuals (50%men,69%non-smokers)remained. Only a minority of these pts with long-covid 874(46%)were hospitalized due to covid severity. Inpatients were older, more often males/obese, less likely smokers. Inpatients had more severe post-covid residual CTchanges, more frequent diffusion capacity impairment, more restrictive ventilation pattern, and more oxygen desaturation during walking. Contrary nonhospitalized pts had more cough, and obstructive ventilation pattern. Hospitalized and non-hospitalized pts did not differ in incidence of resting desaturation, dyspnea, fatigue, expectoration, and chest pain. Despite the fact that 64%of the CR population is fully vaccinated, only 25(1.3%)were vaccinated among long-covid cohort. Conclusion(s): Previously hospitalized have more severe long-covid, however, most pts had only a mild acute COVID.