Study on Postcovid pulmonary complications in patients attending tertiary care centre

ABSTRACT

Background: SARS-COV-2 has caused morbidity and mortality at an unprecedented scale globally. During recovery, several patients are found to have functional impairment and radiological abnormalities. Case Study An observational study done on 54 post-covid patients attending our center during July to November. A detailed history, radiology and clinical data during acute and post-covid visit were analyzed. Aims: To document various post-covid complications, assessing risk factors for complications Discussion: Mean age group of presentation 49.2years, mean time of follow-up presentation is 66.4 days. Incidence is higher in males (64.8%) than females (35%),83.3% are having one or more existing comorbidities during acute covid mainly diabetes 61%, hypertension 38%, Both in 25%, copdin 7.4%, tuberculosis in 3.7%, HIV in 1.85 %. About 79.6% had more than 3 weeks of hospital stay,46.2% are on NIV support during acute covid. Majority of post-covid patients came with dyspnea -75.9%, cough -74%, fatigue -31.4%, productive cough -14%, fever -9%, chest pain -7%. Resting hypoxia is seen in 29.6% of patients. Of post-covid patients,88% presented with pulmonary fibrosis,12.9% with pnemothorax,12.9%with lung cavity,3.6%with necrotizing pneumonia and 1.8%with lung abscess. Both pneumothorax and fibrosis are seen in 9.25%, both cavity and fibrosis in 5.5%. post-covid pulmonary cavities (7) were due to tuberculosis, klebsiella, pseudomonas, E. coli, fungal itology.Comparativelyradiological improvement is seen in 86% of the patients Conclusion: Diabetes,nonvaccinating, severe covid at admission, mechanical ventilation, older age contributes to severe post-covid complications.Regularfollow up,rehabilitation therapy, screening for tuberculosis is to be considered.