Three- and Nine-Month Follow-Up of Patients with COVID-19: Clinical, Functional, and Radiological Outcomes.

Publication date: Jul 03, 2026

Background/Objectives: The acute complications of COVID-19 have been well characterized and are frequently associated with increased mortality. Although substantial knowledge regarding long COVID has accumulated since the beginning of the pandemic, important uncertainties remain regarding the long-term clinical, functional, radiological, and metabolic consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Identification of post-COVID-19 complications is therefore essential for appropriate recognition and management. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term complications of COVID-19 at 3 and 9 months after infection. Methods: This prospective study was conducted at Inonu University Turgut Ozal Medical Center. Patients who presented with active post-COVID-19 complaints or for routine follow-up were enrolled. Participants were evaluated at the pulmonology outpatient clinic at 3 and 9 months. At each visit, persistent or new-onset symptoms were assessed, and pulmonary function tests (PFT), the six-minute walk test (6MWT), echocardiography (ECHO), and thoracic computed tomography (CT) were performed as clinically indicated. Patients were stratified into three groups according to the severity of acute illness: outpatient, ward-hospitalized, and ICU-hospitalized. Results: A total of 205 patients (120 male, 85 female) were included. Male patients had significantly higher rates of ward and ICU hospitalization than female patients (p = 0. 006). At 9 months, 85. 3% of patients had at least one persistent symptom; dyspnea (69. 6%), cough (35. 6%), and chest pain (32. 5%) were the most common. FVC showed a statistically significant increase between months 3 and 9 (p = 0. 014), and the 6MWT distance improved significantly (423. 56 m vs. 464. 10 m; p = 0. 008). Ground-glass opacity, present in 90. 2% of patients at admission, persisted in 44. 3% at 9 months (p

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