Evaluation of functional status and quality of life of patients in the 1st and 6th months post-COVID in the light of radiological influence.

Objective: The aim of the study is to evaluate the functional status and quality of life parameters of patients in the 1st and 6th months post-COVID and to determine contributing factors.

Background: The effects of COVID-19 can continue in the post-COVID period. The mostcommon post-COVID symptoms are weakness, fatigue, nonproductive cough and exertionaldyspnea.

Method: The radiological findings of the patients at diagnosis, post-COVID 1st and 6th months; functional status and quality of life parameters at the 1st and 6th months of the post-COVID period were compared, and the factors affecting them were evaluated. The relationship between radiological involvement, quality of life and functional status parameters was investigated.

Results: Six months after the COVID infection, inpatient's resting oxygen saturation and effort capacity were comparable, even though they were significantly lower in the first month post-COVID. There was a correlation between functional and quality of life measures at 1 and 6 months after COVID-19 infection. In all patients, a significant improvement was found in the functional status and quality of life scales at 6 months after post-COVID infection compared to the 1st month. Even though radiological findings of both groups improved within the first month after COVID-19 infection, there remained a difference between them that disappeared after six months.

Conclusion: It was found that in the post-COVID period, the severity of the disease had a negative effect on functional measurements and quality of life; however, regardless of the severity of the disease, after six months improvements in radiological findings, effort capacity, and quality of life measures were noted (Tab. 2, Fig. 5, Ref. 20). Text in PDF www.elis.sk Keywords: post-COVID, quality of life, functional measurements, chest x-ray.