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Open Access 01-12-2021 | Pulmonary-Function Tests | Research article

One-year follow-up of chest CT findings in patients after SARS-CoV-2 infection

Authors: Yanfei Chen, Cheng Ding, Ling Yu, Wanru Guo, Xuewen Feng, Liang Yu, Junwei Su, Ting Xu, Cheng Ren, Ding Shi, Wenrui Wu, Ping Yi, Jun Liu, Jingjing Tao, Guanjing Lang, Yongtao Li, Min Xu, Jifang Sheng, Lanjuan Li, Kaijin Xu

Published in: BMC Medicine | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

Background

Knowledge about the 1-year outcome of COVID-19 is limited. The aim of this study was to follow-up and evaluate lung abnormalities on serial computed tomography (CT) scans in patients with COVID-19 after hospital discharge.

Methods

A prospective cohort study of patients with COVID-19 from the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine was conducted, with assessments of chest CT during hospitalization and at 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year after hospital discharge. Risk factors of residual CT opacities and the influence of residual CT abnormalities on pulmonary functions at 1 year were also evaluated.

Results

A total of 41 patients were followed in this study. Gradual recovery after hospital discharge was confirmed by the serial CT scores. Around 47% of the patients showed residual aberration on pulmonary CT with a median CT score of 0 (interquartile range (IQR) of 0–2) at 1 year after discharge, with ground-glass opacity (GGO) with reticular pattern as the major radiologic pattern. Patients with residual radiological abnormalities were older (p = 0.01), with higher rate in current smokers (p = 0.04), higher rate in hypertensives (p = 0.05), lower SaO₂ (p = 0.004), and higher prevalence of secondary bacterial infections during acute phase (p = 0.02). Multiple logistic regression analyses indicated that age was a risk factor associated with residual radiological abnormalities (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.01–1.15, p = 0.02). Pulmonary functions of total lung capacity (p = 0.008) and residual volume (p < 0.001) were reduced in patients with residual CT abnormalities and were negatively correlated with CT scores.

Conclusion

During 1-year follow-up after discharge, COVID-19 survivors showed continuous improvement on chest CT. However, residual lesions could still be observed and correlated with lung volume parameters. The risk of developing residual CT opacities increases with age.

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Title: One-year follow-up of chest CT findings in patients after SARS-CoV-2 infection
Authors: Yanfei Chen
Cheng Ding
Ling Yu
Wanru Guo
Xuewen Feng
Liang Yu
Junwei Su
Ting Xu
Cheng Ren
Ding Shi
Wenrui Wu
Ping Yi
Jun Liu
Jingjing Tao
Guanjing Lang
Yongtao Li
Min Xu
Jifang Sheng
Lanjuan Li
Kaijin Xu
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Pulmonary-Function Tests
Computed Tomography
Computed Tomography
SARS-CoV-2
COVID-19
Published in: BMC Medicine / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1741-7015
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-021-02056-8

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

One-year follow-up of chest CT findings in patients after SARS-CoV-2 infection

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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