COVID-19's Radiologic, Functional, and Serologic Consequences at 6-Month and 18-Month Follow-up: A Prospective Cohort Study

Overview

Journal J Korean Med Sci

Specialty General Medicine

Date 2024 Aug 20

PMID 39164053

Authors

Cherry Kim

Hyeri Seok

Jooyun Kim

Dae Won Park

Marly van Assen

Carlo N De Cecco

Hangseok Choi

Chohee Kim

Sung Ho Hwang

Hwan Seok Yong

Yu-Whan Oh

Won Suk Choi

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: We evaluated the radiologic, pulmonary functional, and antibody statuses of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients 6 and 18 months after discharge, comparing changes in status and focusing on risk factors for residual computed tomography (CT) abnormalities.

Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted on COVID-19 patients discharged between April 2020 and January 2021. Chest CT, pulmonary function testing (PFT), and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) immunoglobulin G (IgG) measurements were performed 6 and 18 months after discharge. We evaluated factors associated with residual CT abnormalities and the correlation between lesion volume in CT (lesion), PFT, and IgG levels.

Results: This study included 68 and 42 participants evaluated 6 and 18 months, respectively, after hospitalizations for COVID-19. CT abnormalities were noted in 22 participants (32.4%) at 6 months and 13 participants (31.0%) at 18 months. Lesion was significantly lower at 18 months than 6 months ( < 0.001). Patients with CT abnormalities at 6 months showed lower forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC), and patients with CT abnormalities at 18 months exhibited lower FVC. FVC significantly improved between 6 and 18 months of follow-up (all < 0.0001). SARS-CoV-2 IgG levels were significantly higher in patients with CT abnormalities at 6 and 18 months ( < 0.001). At 18-month follow-up assessments, age was associated with CT abnormalities (odds ratio, 1.17; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-1.32; = 0.01), and lesion showed a positive correlation with IgG level ( = 0.643, < 0.001).

Conclusion: At 18-month follow-up assessments, 31.0% of participants exhibited residual CT abnormalities. Age and higher SARS-CoV-2 IgG levels were significant predictors, and FVC was related to abnormal CT findings at 18 months. Lesion and FVC improved between 6 and 18 months.

Trial Registration: Clinical Research Information Service Identifier: KCT0008573.

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