Follow-up study on the COVID-19 survivors after one year discharged from hospital

Zhao, Yumiao; Yang, Chunxia; An, Xiaocai; Xiong, Yajun; Shang, Yaomin; He, Jiarong; Qiu, Yan; Zhang, Ning; Huang, Lisha; Jia, Junli; Xu, Qinfu; Zhang, Long; Zhao, Junjie; Pei, Guangzhong; Luo, Hong; Wang, Jun; Li, Qingquan; Gao, Yanfeng; Xu, Aiguo

Objective : To evaluate the long-term consequences of survivors with COVID-19 one year after recovery, and to identify the risk factors associated with abnormal patterns in chest imaging manifestations, or impaired lung function. Methods : COVID-19 patients were recruited and prospectively followed up with symptoms, HRQoL (health-related quality of life), psychological questionnaires, 6MWT (6-minute walking test), chest CT, PFTs and blood tests. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association between the clinical characteristics and the chest CT abnormalities or the pulmonary function. Results : Ninety-four patients with COVID-19 were recruited between January 16 and February 6, 2021. Muscle fatigue and insomnia were the most common symptoms. Chest CT scan were abnormal in 71.28% of participants. Results of multivariable regression showed an increase odd in age. Ten patients had impairment of DLCO (diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide). Urea nitrogen concentration on admission was significantly associated with impaired DLCO. The level of IgG and the neutralizing activity were significantly lower compared with those at the early phase. Conclusions : One year after hospitalization for COVID-19, a cohort of survivors were mainly troubled with muscle fatigue and insomnia. Pulmonary structural abnormalities and pulmonary diffusion capacities were highly prevalent in surviving COVID-19 patients. It is necessary to intervene main target population for long-term recovery.