Publication date: Sep 01, 2024

Limited data are available on long-term respiratory disabilities in patients following acute COVID-19. This prospective, monocentric, observational cohort study included patients admitted to our hospital with acute COVID-19 between 12 March and 24 April 2020. Clinical, functional and radiological data were collected up to 28 months after hospital discharge. Among 715 patients hospitalised for COVID-19, 493 (69. 0%) were discharged alive. We could access complete medical records for 268 out of 493 patients (54. 4%); 138 out of 268 (51. 5%) exhibited persistent respiratory symptoms and agreed with the data collection and follow-up. Patients were predominantly male (64. 5%), with a mean+/-sd age of 58. 9+/-15. 3 years. At the last follow-up, the leading symptoms were asthenia (31. 5%), dyspnoea (29. 8%) and neuropsychological symptoms (17. 7%). Lung function improved up to the last visit. Mean diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (D ) was 77. 8% of predicted value, total lung capacity (TLC) was 83. 5% and O desaturation during exercise (O desaturation) was 2. 3%. While D improved over the entire period, TLC improved in the early phase and O desaturation in the late phase. Except for those with lung comorbidities, only one patient presented with minor functional and chest radiological alterations at 28 months. Patients with acute COVID-19 discharged alive showed improved clinical symptoms, lung function parameters and radiological signs up to 28 months post-infection. Persistent symptoms consisted mainly of asthenia and dyspnoea, with lung function returning to normal. One patient without prior respiratory issues exhibited moderate pulmonary fibrosis.

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