Time for recovery of function of alveolo-capillary membrane after COVID 19 infections

ABSTRACT

Background: It is known that a lot of global consequences after COVID 19 infection were seen. In symptomatic cases, after discharge from hospital, global psychological and physical status was changed in approximately 75% of patients, as was reported in recent literature. We follow up recovery of chest x-ray changes and disappearance of lung function sequels six months after discharge. Aim and objectives: To analyze what was the time frame for recovery of function of alveolo-capillary membrane, assessed by measurement of transfer factor for carbon monoxid (DLco) across the alveolo-capillary membrane. Method(s) Patients treated for COVID 19 in General hospital Tesanj were analyzed. Measurement of DLco was performed three months after discharge from hospital. Patients with severe disease, according to classification adopted for assessment of COVID 19 infection, were included in the study. Result(s) We analyzed 60 patients, 30 of them with therapy by metil prednisolone and 30 without. Therapy with metil prednisolone was 8 mg BID (two times a day) 10 days after discharge, then 4 mg BID in next 10 days. Average DLco was 68.45% of predicted value in patients with no steroid treatment, and 76.49 % in treated group. Chest X-ray resolution of sequels of COVID 19 was better in patients with steroid treatment than in those without. Symptoms of cough and fatigation disappeared more effectively in treated group. Conclusion(s) In patients after COVID 19 infection inappropriate DLco was seen, but recovery of function of diffusion of gases across alveolo-capillary membrane, measured by DLco, was better in patients treated with tablets of metal prednisolone than in those without.