Seyedeh Almas Fahim Yeganeh, Hanieh Raghimi, Mohammad Reza Mohammadi,
Volume 11, Issue 1 (7-2023)
Abstract
Seyedeh Almas Fahim Yeganeh1 
,
Hanieh Raghimi2 ,
Mohammad Reza Mohammadi 3
Background: Severely contagious, a beta coronavirus (COVID-19) has spread worldwide since December 2019, a life-threatening disease that leads to high mortality.
Methods: This study had 200 cases referred and admitted to 5th Azar Hospital in May and June 2020. Treatment started based on signs and symptoms and confirming positive CT scan findings. RT-PCR test is done for all of them. Patients are categorized due to age, underlying diseases, CT scan findings, and mortality.
Results: Diabetes mellitus (DM) was the most frequent underlying disease (35%), following hypertension (23.5%) and cardiovascular problems (9.5%). Although the severity of CT scan findings within the expired patients’ group was more than survived, the relation was insignificant (P=0.247). The mean age of cases who died was at least ten years more than survived. There was a mortality risk of 5.9 folds in cardiovascular disease (CVD) patients comparing patients free of CVD.
Conclusion: In dealing with involved COVID-19 patients considering their age and co-morbidities will help manage earlier and pay more attention to these cases.
Mahmoud Khandashpour, Mahtab Rakhshaie, Rahmatollah Sharififar, Somayeh Livani, Nafiseh Abdollahi, Mahdi Soleimannejad, Fahimeh Abdollahi, Mahila Monajati,
Volume 12, Issue 1 (10-2024)
Abstract
Background: Severe coronavirus infections may lead to long-term effects, such as persistent lung dysfunction and residual involvement. This study aimed to evaluate pulmonary function tests (PFT) and chest computed tomography (CT) scans of severe COVID-19 intensive care unit (ICU) survivors one year after discharge.
Methods: A cohort study was conducted, assessing spirometry and chest CT scans in patients with severe COVID-19 admitted to the ICU. Patients with pre-existing lung disease were excluded. Initial laboratory tests, clinical information, and medication (antivirals and corticosteroids) were reported in patients with and without fibrosis on chest CTs.
Results: Thirty patients (57% female) with a mean (SD) age of 50 (13.5) years were included. Initial pulmonary involvement had a mean score of 16 (±4), with ground-glass opacification (GGO) observed in all patients, consolidation in 88%, and pneumomediastinum in 10% of patients. One-year chest CT scans revealed mild fibrotic changes in 70% of patients, presenting as a fibrotic band (47%) or a fibrotic band with GGO (23%). Patients with fibrosis had lower serum albumin levels, lower platelet counts, and were older. One-year follow-up spirometry showed that 73% had normal results, 20% had mild obstruction, and 7% exhibited a hyperreactive airway pattern. Spirometry parameters did not significantly differ between the fibrosis and non-fibrosis groups.
Conclusion: Most patients who survived severe COVID-19 infection showed significant improvement in one-year follow-up chest CT scans, and their PFT was not severely impaired. Importantly, our findings indicate no association between the severity of initial lung involvement, medication use, and follow-up chest CT results.
