Long-term Follow-up Findings of Inpatients for COVID-19 Pneumonia

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory tract infection caused by a newly emergent coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) that can progress to severe multiorgan disease requiring hospitalization. The medium and long-term impact in survivors of COVID-19 on lung function, imaging by thoracic CT, exercise capacity, and health-related quality of life and the relation of these parameters remains to be determined.

Aim: To evaluate medium to late (visit 1: 6-12 months after hospital discharge) effects of COVID-19 on lung function, exercise capacity, thoracic CT findings, symptoms and HRQoL in patients with confirmed diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection and the relation between these parameters. Material and methods: Prospective cohort of subjects with laboratory and/or thoracic CT confirmed COVID-19 who were treated as inpatients. Participants will perform spirometry, lung diffusion capacity of carbon monoxide, 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) after 6-12 months (Visit 1) of COVID-19. Clinical, laboratory and chest image data during the COVID-19 hospitalization will be obtained from medical records. The minimum sample size was estimated as 37 participants.