ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Few data are available regarding follow up of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) after their discharge. We aim to describe the long-term outcomes of survivors of hospitalization for COVID-19 followed up first at an outpatient facility and subsequently by telephone. METHODS: Observational prospective study conducted at a tertiary general hospital. Clinical and radiological progression was assessed and data were recorded on a standardized reporting form. Patients were divided into three groups according to Pao2/Fio2 at hospitalization: Pao2/Fio2 >300, Pao2/Fio2 300-200 and Pao2/Fio2 <200. A logistic multivariate regression model was performed to identify factors associated with persistence of symptoms. RESULTS: For facility follow up, 302 individuals were enrolled. Median follow up was 45 days after discharge; 78% (228/294) of patients had COVID-19-related symptoms (53% asthenia, 56% respiratory symptoms) and 40% (122/302) had residual pulmonary radiographic lesions. Pao2/Fio2 <200 was an independent predictor of persistent dyspnoea (OR 1.87, 95% CI 1.38-2.52, p < 0.0001). Pao2/Fio2 >300 was associated with resolution of chest radiographic lesions (OR 0.56, 95% CI 0.42-0.74, p < 0.0001). Fifty per cent of patients required specific medical follow up after the first consultation and were transferred to another physician. A total of 294 patients were contacted for telephone follow up after a median follow-up time of 7 months. Fifty per cent of patients (147/294) still presented symptoms and 49% (145/294) had psychological disorders. Asthenia was identified in 27% (78/294) and dyspnoea in 10% (28/294) of patients independently of Pao2/Fio2. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with COVID-19 require long-term follow up because of the persistence of symptoms; patients with low Pao2/Fio2 during the acute illness require special attention.
Subject(s)
COVID-19/diagnosis , Oxygen/blood , SARS-CoV-2/physiology , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , COVID-19/psychology , COVID-19/virology , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Hospitalization , Humans , Logistic Models , Lung/pathology , Lung/virology , Male , Middle Aged , Multivariate Analysis , Prospective Studies , Spain , Survivors , Tertiary Care Centers , COVID-19 Drug TreatmentABSTRACT
Resumen Nos enfrentamos a una pandemia que afecta a una parte importante de la población. A finales de abril de 2020, en el mundo hay cerca de 3.000.000 de casos, con 205.000 muertes y 860.000 pacientes recuperados La respuesta a esta pandemia en muchos casos ha supuesto modificaciones importantes en el cuidado diario de las pacientes con cáncer, dependiendo el buen resultado en buena parte del ajuste de los protocolos a las circunstancias especiales y a los tratamientos multidisciplinarios Presentamos una revisión del tratamiento quirúrgico y radioterapia junto con las recomendaciones de los autores basadas en su experiencia personal a la hora del diagnóstico y tratamiento locorregional del cáncer de mama durante la pandemia del COVID-19 Los comités multidisciplinarios deben seguir reuniéndose semanalmente en formato de videoconferencia. Todos las intervenciones quirúrgicas e irradiaciones deben ser llevadas a cabo con la máxima seguridad tanto para las pacientes como para el personal sanitario que participa. El hipofraccionamiento debe ser el tratamiento radioterápico estándar. En algunos casos se utilizará tratamiento sistémico primario o incluso radioterapa preoperatoria. Es esencial una coordinación importante entre los equipos quirúrgicos y los oncológicos, tanto radioterápicos como médicos. We are facing a pandemic that is going to affect a significant part of the population. At the end of April in the world there are about 3,000,000 cases, with 205,000 deaths and 860,000 patients recovered. The response to this pandemic has in many cases led to a significant change in the daily work of caring for cancer patients, the good results of which depend largely on time-adjusted protocols and multidisciplinary treatments. We present a review of local, surgical and radiotherapy treatment together with authors' recommendations made from personal experience on ways to act in the diagnosis and surgical treatment of breast cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic. The multidisciplinary Breast Committees must continue to meet weekly in videoconference format. All surgical actions and irradiations must be carried out with maximum safety for both the patients and the participating teams. Hypofractionation in radiation therapy should be the standard treatment. Sometimes it is recommended to apply a primary systemic treatment or even a primary irradiation. Great coordination between the surgical and oncology teams, both medical and radiotherapeutic, is essential.