Long-term follow-up of hospitalized COVID-19 patients with interstitial lung involvement
Journal of Infection in Developing Countries, cilt.20, sa.3, ss.342-349, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 20 Sayı: 3
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.3855/jidc.21215
- Dergi Adı: Journal of Infection in Developing Countries
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, CAB Abstracts, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Directory of Open Access Journals, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest)
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.342-349
- Anahtar Kelimeler: COVID-19, residual interstitial findings, interstitial lung disease
- Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Introduction: Data regarding the residual lung findings persisting beyond 12 months from acute infection in patients with COVID-19 with pulmonary involvement are scarce. This study investigates the long-term radiological and functional findings of previously hospitalized COVID-19 patients who had residual pulmonary involvement at 3–6-month follow-up. Methodology: This retrospective cohort study was an extended analysis of a previously published study, including patients with COVID-19 pneumonia hospitalized between June 2020 and March 2021. Residual lung involvement due to COVID-19 pneumonia was classified according to the presence of ground glass opacities, honeycombing, traction bronchiectasis, reticulations, and parenchymal bands. Results: 51 out of the 157 patients with abnormal chest findings in high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scans at 3–6-month follow-up were included. Mean age of the study population was 60.5 ± 10.5 years; 35 subjects were male (68.6%). HRCT controls were obtained 25.7 ± 6.36 months after the diagnosis. There was regression of predefined radiological involvement in 39 patients (76.5%), whereas 11 patients (21.6%) exhibited stable findings, and one patient had progressive lung involvement with a usual interstitial pneumonia pattern. Persistent residual parenchymal bands were found mostly in ICU-admitted patients (p = 0.04), and reticulations were seen in patients with a CT severity score > 18 (p = 0.04). Conclusions: In most patients with pulmonary sequelae, lesions showed improvement after 18 months, with complete resolution in about one third of patients after a 6-month follow-up. There was a correlation between initial severity and persistence of lung abnormalities.