%0 Journal Article
%T The Post-COVID-19 Haul on Pulmonary Function: A Prospective Cross-Sectional Study.
%A S NM
%A G R
%A Sampath A
%A Gadwala R
%A V CG
%A Pakhare AP
%A Joshi R
%A Singhai A
%A Mishra VN
%A Khadanga S
%J Cureus
%V 16
%N 5
%D 2024 May
%M 38813071
暂无%R 10.7759/cureus.61101
%X <B>BACKGROUND: </B>Long COVID syndrome, characterized by symptoms like dyspnea, fatigue, and cough, persisting for weeks to months after the initial SARS-CoV-2 infection, poses significant challenges globally. Studies suggest a potential higher risk among females aged 40-50, with symptoms affecting individuals regardless of initial COVID-19 severity, underscoring the need for comprehensive understanding and management.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>A prospective longitudinal study was conducted at a teaching tertiary care institute in Central India, involving COVID-19 patients from May 2020 to September 2021. Participants, aged 18 or older, diagnosed with COVID-19 and surviving until the last follow-up, were monitored telephonically and during outpatient visits for treatment details and outcomes. Data analysis was done using R software 4.2.1.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>The baseline characteristics of the study participants showed a majority of moderate COVID-19 severity (47.5%), with a higher proportion of males (64.8%) affected. Common comorbidities included diabetes (27.1%) and hypertension (22.9%). Long COVID-19 symptoms, notably breathlessness, were prevalent, with females exhibiting a significantly higher association. Pulmonary function abnormalities were associated with both long COVID-19 symptoms and higher COVID-19 severity categories, indicating lasting respiratory impact post-infection.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>Long after the pandemic, COVID-19 continues to raise concerns due to persistent sequelae, with a majority experiencing long COVID symptoms, particularly those with severe initial illness, including breathlessness and abnormal lung function, highlighting prevalent restrictive lung pattern changes.