POST-COVID PULMONARY COMPLICATIONS IN THE OUTPATIENT SETTING: ARE WE PREPARED FOR THE AVALANCHE?

ABSTRACT

SESSION TITLE What Lessons Will We Take From the Pandemic? SESSION TYPE Rapid Fire Original Inv PRESENTED ON 10/19/2022 1115 am - 1215 pm PURPOSE: Post COVID pulmonary complications can be attributed to severe inflammatory response that can result in pulmonary fibrosis. It is somewhat predictable in patients with severe illness, advanced age and comorbidities. However, a little is known about pulmonary complications in younger patients with mild illness followed up at outpatient clinics. We aim to shed light on post COVID pulmonary complications in patients who did not require hospitalization but had significant outpatient visits. METHODS: This study is based upon a retrospective chart review of patients who presented to Pulmonology Clinic at Cayuga Medical Associates with respiratory symptoms associated with COVID-19 disease. Mild illness was defined as symptoms of dyspnea on exertion or fatigue or shortness of breath that have not required oxygen and lasted for less than or equal to two months. Moderate illness was defined as symptoms of mild illness lasting for more than two months without oxygen supplementation. Severe illness was defined as hypoxia requiring home oxygen. We have excluded the patients who were hospitalized for COVID pneumonia. RESULTS: Of 23 patients (56.52% female) with COVID illness seen at Pulmonology Clinic in one-year duration, 13.04% had COPD, 26.09% had asthma and 21.74% had OSA. Median age was 33 with mean BMI 27.61.13.04% were current smokers. 39.13% required a PFT among which 77.78% had normal results. 21.74% of the total patients who never had OSA as an underlying diagnosis, required sleep study, among which 60% had mild OSA and 20% had severe OSA. 13.04% were already on oral steroids for other diseases. Majority of the patients had normal chest x-ray findings. 39.13% had CT chest, majority of which showed normal findings and few with diffuse ground glass opacities. 8.70% developed palpitations along with respiratory symptoms. At six months follow up, 43.48% had mild illness who were managed with conservative management such as incentive spirometry, deep breathing techniques, prone positioning and as needed short acting bronchodilator treatments. 43.48% had moderate illness who were treated with short course of oral steroids in addition to conservative management. 13.04% had severe illness who required home oxygen up to 2 L for two months maximum. Most common pulmonary complaint was dyspnea on exertion, seen in 43.48%. 17.39% had fatigue. 21.74% had sleep apnea symptoms. Median duration of symptoms was two months. CONCLUSIONS: Our study outlines the incidence of post COVID pulmonary complications in patient group where these complications are least expected. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS Post COVID pulmonary complications appear to be of significant concern in patients visiting outpatient clinics. The heterogeneity in management of those complications needs a serious attention. The feasibility and implementation strategy of post COVID-19-care-clinic with proper management guidelines should be brought to streamline practice. DISCLOSURES No relevant relationships by Sameer Acharya No relevant relationships by Ali AKRAM No relevant relationships by Samjhauta Bhattarai No relevant relationships by Lavanya Kodali