EVALUATION of LONG TERM RADIOLOGICAL FINDINGS, PULMONARY FUNCTIONS AND HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE IN SURVIVORS OF SEVERE COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: It was aimed to evaluate long-term radiological changes of severe COVID-19 patients, to investigate pulmonary function, exercise capacities and health-related quality of life results of them. METHODS: 65 patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia were evaluated in the sixth months after discharge from hospital. Spirometry, 6 minutes walking test (6MWT), short form of health-related quality of life scale (SF-36) were applied in the sixth month. Chest CT was performed and the findings were grouped according to lung involvement. RESULTS: 49 male and 16 female patients were included in the study. FEV1% values of 18 patients (30,5%), FVC% values of 27 patients (45,8%) and 6MWT of 13 patients (23,2%) were found lower than expected in the sixth month. On the SF-36 scale, physical function, energy-vitality, social functionality, pain and general health parameters were found lower than normal. Minimal interstitial changes in chest CT were seen in twentysix patients. Nine patients had lung area involvement between 10% and 50% of surface, there was a correlation between FEV1% and FVC% values in this group. There were severe pulmonary fibrosis in four patients. There was a correlation between pulmonary function and physical function and general perception of health from SF-36 scale subparameters. CONCLUSION: Functional and radiological abnormalities were detected in a significant number of patients in sixth months after severe COVID-19 pneumonia. A systematic monitoring plan must be established in order to assess and properly manage the long-term problems that may arise. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.