Long term sequelae after hospitalization for severe COVID-19: a comparison between the first two pandemic waves

ABSTRACT

Background: A significant proportion of survivor COVID-19 patients presented sequelae that impact on the quality of life and social-health systems. We described long term sequelae in hospitalized for severe disease patients. Materials and Methods: 143 patients was evaluated at 6 and 12 months after discharge in a prospective study by medical examination, laboratory tests, spirometry, Hamilton test for anxiety and depression, ECG. The results was compared between survivors of the first two pandemic waves. Results: mean age was 66±8 years;90 (63%) was male, median BMI was 26,7±2 Kg/m2. After 6 months 32,1% of patients reported dyspnoea, 35% fatigue, 14% transiet hair loss, 18,8% arthralgia, 10,4% concentration and memory deficit, about 53% anxiety and/or depression. At 12 months symptom prevalence decreased. Prevalent spirometric feature was restrictive. DLCO was altered in about 70% of patients at 6 months. At 12 months the percentage was the same in first wave patients and decreased to 45% in second wave patients. Healthy state was worse in survived of first wave. Conclusions: approximately 1/3 of patients recovered from COVID-19 have sequelae of disease that improved over time. Data analysis are invalidated by patients heterogeneity (background, severity disease and clinical feature, received therapy);its possible that better knowledges in disease management in second pandemic wave had a favorable impact on long-term outcomes.