COVID-19: the day after

Introduction: Patients recovering from pneumonia and ARDS may develop fibrotic changes. Concerning COVID-19, there is evidence that residual persistent ground glass opacities and/or reticular infiltrates could be related with the development of diffuse parenchymal lung disease. Aim: The detection of interstitial lung disease post COVID-19 pneumonia. Methods: Patients were prospectively assessed 3 months after hospital discharge with high resolution computerized tomography of the chest (HRCT), pulmonary lung function tests (PFTs), SpO2, 6minute walk test (6MWT) and Saint George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). Patients were classified according to acute phase pneumonia extent as: mild ( 50%). Results: 23 patients (6 women, mean age 55 yrs) were included. 2 patients had a history of mechanical ventilation and 3 of pulmonary embolism. Mild (8), moderate (9) and severe (6) disease patients had no significant differences in age, gender and smoking history. Fifteen (65%) had at least one comorbidity including chronic obstructive respiratory disease. At 3 months patients presented mean values (SD) of FEV1%pred of 98,4±20,3, FVC%pred 104,3±18,3, DLCO%pred 89,2±10,3, Sp02 97,7±0,7%, 6MWT 571,4±87m and SGRQ 4,56(0-8,14). Follow-up HRCT was evaluated as normal or near-normal in all with no significant differences among the three severity groups. 20 patients had normal PFTs, 2 an obstructive pattern (underlying lung disease) and 1 a restrictive pattern with normal DLCO. Conclusion: The results of the present study do not support the hypothesis of the development of diffuse parenchymal lung disease after COVID-19 pneumonia in this study group. The study is ongoing.