Persistent disabilities 28 months after COVID-19 hospitalization, a prospective cohort study

Background Limited data are available on long-term respiratory disabilities in patients following acute COVID-19. Patients and Methods This prospective, monocentric, observational cohort study included patients admitted to our hospital with acute COVID-19 between March 3 and April 24, 2020. Clinical, functional, and radiological data were collected up to 28 months after hospital discharge. Results Among 715 patients hospitalized for COVID-19, 493 (69.0%) were discharged alive. We could access complete medical records for 268/493 patients (54.4%); 138/268 (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 (DLCO) was 77.8% of predicted value, total lung capacity (TLC) 83.5%, and O 2 desaturation during exercise (O 2 desaturation) −2.3%. While DLCO improved over the entire period, TLC improved in the early phase and O 2 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. Conclusion 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.