Up to one-third of patients with severe COVID-19 still have lingering lung effects up to one year after they were hospitalized, researchers reported Wednesday in the Lancet Respiratory Medicine.
Scientists have made significant progress in understanding and treating the coronavirus, but there’s little insight into how long it takes patients to fully recover. Many COVID long-haulers still report symptoms long after they’re discharged.
Over the course of 12 months, most of the 83 patients enrolled in this study fully recovered. But one-third still showed reduced lung function and nearly one-quarter retained lung abnormalities on their CT scans, the authors reported May 5.
This was more common in those who suffered lung function damage during their initial hospitalization, but the results underscore a few important things.
For one, consistent respiratory follow-up in those with severe COVID-19 pneumonia is needed, Yihua Wang, PhD, a lecturer in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Southampton in the U.K., said Thursday.
Wang also called for additional research into whether exercise programs can help speed up recovery. Finally, Wang added, this study “highlights the need for treatment strategies to prevent the development of long-term COVID-19 related lung changes."
The investigators followed their cohort at three-month intervals over the course of a year. During each visit, participants underwent a clinical assessment, walking test, and chest CT to analyze their lungs. A majority of patients reported feeling fewer symptoms, enhanced exercise capabilities and showed improved lung CT changes. Only 5% still felt out of breath at the 12-month mark.
The authors also found that women more often reported limited lung function compared to men. But this, along with whether or not patients still suffer beyond one year, will require more digging, they added.
“The majority of patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia appeared to fully recover, although for some patients this took many months,” explained study co-leader Mark Jones, PhD, associate professor in respiratory medicine at Southampton. “We also don't yet know what happens beyond 12 months and this will need ongoing study."
Read more in the study here.
Matt joined Chicago’s TriMed team in 2018 covering all areas of health imaging after two years reporting on the hospital field. He holds a bachelor’s in English from UIC, and enjoys a good cup of coffee and an interesting documentary.