TY - JOUR
T1 - Persistent Health Problems beyond Pulmonary Recovery up to 6 Months after Hospitalization for COVID-19
T2 - A Longitudinal Study of Respiratory, Physical, and Psychological Outcomes
AU - Hellemons, Merel E
AU - Huijts, Susanne
AU - Bek, L Martine
AU - Berentschot, Julia C
AU - Nakshbandi, Gizal
AU - Schurink, Carin A M
AU - Vlake, Johan H
AU - van Genderen, Michel E
AU - van Bommel, Jasper
AU - Gommers, Diederik
AU - Odink, Arlette
AU - Ciet, Pierluigi
AU - Shamier, Marc C
AU - Geurts van Kessel, Corine
AU - Baart, Sara J
AU - Ribbers, Gerard M
AU - van den Berg-Emons, Rita J G
AU - Heijenbrok-Kal, Majanka H
AU - Aerts, Joachim G J V
N1 - Funding Information:
Supported by ZonMw grant 10430022010026 and Rijndam Rehabilitation, Laurens, and Erasmus Medical Center.
Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2022 by the American Thoracic Society
PY - 2022/4
Y1 - 2022/4
N2 - Rationale: Data on longitudinal recovery after hospitalization for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) currently remain scarce, just as outcomes beyond 3 months of follow-up do. Objectives: To evaluate the sequelae up to 6 months after hospitalization for COVID-19 by considering 1) recovery as it relates to pulmonary function, radiological abnormalities, physical and mental health status, and health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) and 2) the predictors of the most clinically relevant sequelae. Methods: Patients were evaluated at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after hospitalization by using pulmonary function testing, radiological evaluation, and online questionnaires on the physical and mental health status and HR-QoL. Outcomes were analyzed using repeated-measurement analyses. Results: Ninety-two patients were included (mean age, 58.2 ± 12.3 yr; 58 [63.0%] men). The estimated percentage of patients with impaired forced vital capacity improved from 25% at 6 weeks to 11% at 6 months; for impaired diffusion capacity, this percentage improved from 63% to 46%. Radiologically, ground-glass opacity decreased but fibrosis persisted. The majority of patients (89.1%) still reported one or more symptoms 6 months after discharge. Fatigue decreased significantly over time (P = 0.006). Nonetheless, fatigue remained in 51% of the patients at 6 months. HR-QoL (nearly) normalized in most domains at 6 months, except for physical role functioning, with persistent fatigue and the length of hospitalization being the most important predictors. Conclusions: During the first 6 months after hospitalization for COVID-19, most patients demonstrated continuing recovery across all health domains, but persistent sequelae were frequent. Fatigue was the most frequent residual and persistent symptom up to 6 months after hospitalization, importantly impacting HR-QoL.
AB - Rationale: Data on longitudinal recovery after hospitalization for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) currently remain scarce, just as outcomes beyond 3 months of follow-up do. Objectives: To evaluate the sequelae up to 6 months after hospitalization for COVID-19 by considering 1) recovery as it relates to pulmonary function, radiological abnormalities, physical and mental health status, and health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) and 2) the predictors of the most clinically relevant sequelae. Methods: Patients were evaluated at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after hospitalization by using pulmonary function testing, radiological evaluation, and online questionnaires on the physical and mental health status and HR-QoL. Outcomes were analyzed using repeated-measurement analyses. Results: Ninety-two patients were included (mean age, 58.2 ± 12.3 yr; 58 [63.0%] men). The estimated percentage of patients with impaired forced vital capacity improved from 25% at 6 weeks to 11% at 6 months; for impaired diffusion capacity, this percentage improved from 63% to 46%. Radiologically, ground-glass opacity decreased but fibrosis persisted. The majority of patients (89.1%) still reported one or more symptoms 6 months after discharge. Fatigue decreased significantly over time (P = 0.006). Nonetheless, fatigue remained in 51% of the patients at 6 months. HR-QoL (nearly) normalized in most domains at 6 months, except for physical role functioning, with persistent fatigue and the length of hospitalization being the most important predictors. Conclusions: During the first 6 months after hospitalization for COVID-19, most patients demonstrated continuing recovery across all health domains, but persistent sequelae were frequent. Fatigue was the most frequent residual and persistent symptom up to 6 months after hospitalization, importantly impacting HR-QoL.
U2 - 10.1513/AnnalsATS.202103-340OC
DO - 10.1513/AnnalsATS.202103-340OC
M3 - Article
C2 - 34582728
SN - 2325-6621
VL - 19
SP - 551
EP - 561
JO - Annals of the American Thoracic Society
JF - Annals of the American Thoracic Society
IS - 4
ER -
