Post-COVID-19 respiratory sequelae two years after hospitalization: an ambidirectional study

Background COVID-19 lung sequelae can impact the course of patient lives. We investigated the evolution of pulmonary abnormalities in post-COVID-19 patients 18–24 months after hospital discharge. Methods A cohort of COVID-19 patients admitted to the Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da USP in São Paulo, Brazil, between March and August of 2020, were followed-up 6–12 months after hospital discharge. A subset of patients with pulmonary involvement and chest computed tomography (CT) scans were eligible to participate in this second follow-up (18–24 months). Data was analyzed in an ambidirectional manner, including retrospective data from the hospitalization, and from the first follow-up (6–12 months after discharge), and compared with the prospective data collected in this new follow-up. Findings From 348 patients eligible, 237 (68%) participated in this follow-up. Among participants, 139 (58%) patients presented ground-glass opacities and reticulations, and 80 (33%) presented fibrotic-like lesions (traction bronchiectasis and architectural distortion). Five (2%) patients improved compared to the 6-12-month assessment, but 20 (25%) of 80 presented worsening of lung abnormalities. For those with relevant assessments on both occasions, comparing the CT findings between this follow-up with the previous assessment, there was an increase in patients with architectural distortion (43 [21%] of 204 vs 57 [28%] of 204, p = 0.0093), as well as in traction bronchiectasis (55 [27%] of 204 vs 69 [34%] of 204, p = 0.0043). Patients presented a persistent functional impairment with demonstrated restrictive pattern in both follow-ups (87 [42%] of 207 vs 91 [44%] of 207, p = 0.76), as well as for the reduced diffusion capacity (88 [42%] of 208 vs 87 [42%] of 208, p = 1.0). Length of hospitalization (OR 1.04 [1.01–1.07], p = 0.0040), invasive mechanical ventilation (OR 3.11 [1.3–7.5] p = 0.011), patient's age (OR 1.03 [1.01–1.06] p = 0.0074 were consistent predictors for development of fibrotic-like lung lesions in post-COVID-19 patients. Interpretation Post-COVID-19 lung sequelae can persist and progress after hospital discharge, suggesting airways involvement and formation of new fibrotic-like lesions, mainly in patients who were in intensive care unit (ICU). Funding São Paulo Research Foundation (22/01769-5) and Instituto Todos pela Saúde (C1721).