Can we predict lung sequelae in post-COVID-19 patients?

Abstract

Introduction: Patients hospitalized with COVID-19 pneumonia can progress to lung fibrosis after the infection even though given the standard treatment or the anti-inflammatory regimen for the long term. It is hard to predict which group of patients is going to have a progressive lung disease thus this study aims to define possible biomarkers at the acute onset of infections that might predict lung fibrosis afterwards. Material and Methods: Patients hospitalized between January - December 2020 with pneumonia and a positive PCR for COVID-19 infection were included in the study. They were followed up for 12 months for post-COVID-19 symptoms and lung sequelae formation. Results: A total of 64 patients were included with a median age of 62 (R: 17-93) and 42.2% were women (n=27). 35 patients (54.7%) had post-COVID symptoms, 8 (12.5%) of them died and 22 (34.4%) were re-hospitalized. 76.6% had a good clinical course but 54.7% of the patients developed sequelae after infection. The pneumonia score, blood oxygen saturation level, CRP, and troponin levels at admission were significantly related to sequelae development (p