Pulmonary complications among discharged Covid-19 patients- A prospective study

ABSTRACT

Background: There is a need for a unified pathway & structure for the respiratory follow-up of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. Introduction: The long- term complications of COVID-19 pneumonia-Pulmonary Fibrosis, Pulmonary vascular disease, Bronchial Hyper-reactivity, Pleural effusion are real. Aims and Objectives: 1. To estimate the prevalence of post covid-19 pulmonary complications 2. To study the risk factors& long-term outcome of post covid pulmonary fibrosis. Methods: Prospective study;Study Period November 2020-January 2021;All patients with history of COVID-19 attending post covid clinic of MES Medical College during the study period. RESULTS • Out of the 300 patients studied,most common outcome was post covid pulmonary fibrosis- 10.7%;followed by death 9%, Pleural effusion (2%), Bronchial hyperreactivity (1.3%), Pulmonary embolism (.3%), Anosmia (.3%), Pneumothorax (.3%) and Organizing Pneumonia (.3%) • Follow up study of patients with post covid pulmonary fibrosis, showed clearance in serial chest-xray. Conclusion: Most of the complications were seen among Cat-C patients, the most common being post covid pulmonary fibrosis which showed a serial decrement in the chest-xray scores suggesting favourable outcome.