Long-term consequences of COVID-19 in patients with inflammatory intestine diseases (by the data of functional-radiology examinations of lungs and EchoKG)

The purpose — to assess the presence and course of post-COVID syndrome, damage to the lungs and cardiovascular system, as well as the course of IBD in the post-COVID period. Material and methods. The study included 36 patients diagnosed with Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) who had COVID-19 with lung damage. To identify the clinical symptoms characteristic of the post-COVID syndrome, we used a questionnaire as part of an in-depth medical examination for citizens who had had COVID-19 3, 6, 9 and 12 months before. All patients, 12 months after having COVID-19, underwent an assessment of the respiratory function (RF), echocardiography, and X-ray computed tomography of the chest organs (CT scan of the chest). Results. Complaints characteristic of post-COVID syndrome occurred more often and longer in patients with respiratory distress (RD). When assessing the respiratory function and echocardiography, minor changes were detected; in the group of patients with RD, the changes were more pronounced. When analyzing the parameters of the CT scan of the chest after 12 months, changes were detected only in the group of patients with RD during COVID-19. The maximum number of patients in exacerbation of IBD was noted 3-6 months after COVID-19. Conclusions. According to the results of the questionnaire used as part of the in-depth medical examination of patients after COVID-19, respiratory function, echocardiography, CT scan, it was found that the post-COVID syndrome was more severe and lasted longer in patients with lung damage and RD during COVID-19.