Is Pulmonary Involvement a Distinct Phenotype of Post-COVID-19?

(1) Background: COVID-19 infection often provokes symptoms lasting many months: most commonly fatigue, dyspnea, myalgia and mental distress symptoms. In this study, we searched for clinical features of post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) and differences between patients with and without pulmonary involvem...

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Main Authors: Krystian T. Bartczak, Joanna Miłkowska-Dymanowska, Małgorzata Pietrusińska, Anna Kumor-Kisielewska, Adam Stańczyk, Sebastian Majewski, Wojciech J. Piotrowski, Cezary Lipiński, Sebastian Wawrocki, Adam J. Białas
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-10-01
Series:Biomedicines
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/11/10/2694
Description
Summary:(1) Background: COVID-19 infection often provokes symptoms lasting many months: most commonly fatigue, dyspnea, myalgia and mental distress symptoms. In this study, we searched for clinical features of post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) and differences between patients with and without pulmonary involvement. (2) Methods: A total of 282 patients with a mean age of 57 years (SD +/− 12 years) underwent assessment up to 12 weeks after COVID-19 recovery. The course of acute disease, past medical history and clinical symptoms were gathered; pulmonary function tests were performed; radiographic studies were assessed and follow-up examinations were conducted. Patients with and without detectable pulmonary lesions were divided into separate groups. (3) Results: Patients within the pulmonary group were more often older (59 vs. 51 y.o.; <i>p</i> < 0.001) males (<i>p</i> = 0.002) that underwent COVID-19-related hospitalization (<i>p</i> < 0.001) and were either ex- or active smokers with the median of 20 pack-years. We also managed to find correlations with hypertension (<i>p</i> = 0.01), liver failure (<i>p</i> = 0.03), clinical symptoms such as dyspnea (<i>p</i> < 0.001), myalgia (<i>p</i> = 0.04), headache (<i>p</i> = 0.009), sleeplessness (<i>p</i> = 0.046), pulmonary function tests (such as FVC, TLCO, RV and TLC; <i>p</i> < 0.001) and several basic laboratory tests (D-dimer, cardiac troponin, WBC, creatinine and others). (4) Conclusions: Our results indicate that initial pulmonary involvement alters the PCC, and it can be used to individualize clinical approaches.
ISSN:2227-9059