ABSTRACT
Covid19 may be associated with prolonged symptoms and post-recovery health impairment. We aim to evaluate persistent symptoms and lung function test (spirometry and 6 minute walk) in patients who were discharged from the hospital after recovery from COVID-19. Method(s): It is a retrospective cohort study including patients admitted to the COVID-19 unit of general hospital ISSSTE dr Belisario Dominguez from Chiapas Mexico, between May 2020 to December 2020. Clinical data were collected from medical records. The patients were evaluated through the follow-up consultation by trained physicians and were asked to respond to a specific questionnaire to collect symptoms after discharge, and spirometry and 6MW were performed at the same visit. Result(s): We enrolled 27 patients, 16 men and 11 women, after a mean of 163 days following admission. The average age was 54 years (21-78) was 1.36. The average length of hospitalization was 15.6 dias days. Twenty six patients (96%) had residual symptoms. The most frequently reported persistent symptoms were insomnia (62%), memory loss (58%), dyspnea and dizziness (54%), headaches (50%), myoarthralgia (46%), cough and tachycardia (35%) and chest pain (12%). Regarding spirometry, 9 patients had a normal study, in the remainder the study was restrictive and the average CFV% was 65%. The average in meters of the 6MW was 325 meters, only two patients had saturation less than 90% during the test (89 and 84%) but they concluded the study. Conclusion. Regarding spirometry, almost two-thirds have a restrictive pattern and 6MW is normal in practically all patients. Even after discharge, patients have persistent symptoms that affect their daily life.