Lung Function, Radiological Findings and Biomarkers of Fibrogenesis in a Cohort of COVID-19 Patients Six Months After Hospital Discharge.

INTRODUCTION

Impairment in pulmonary function tests and radiological abnormalities are a major concern in COVID-19 survivors. Our aim is to evaluate functional respiratory parameters, changes in chest CT, and correlation with peripheral blood biomarkers involved in lung fibrosis at two and six months after SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia.

METHODS

COVID-FIBROTIC (clinicaltrials.gov NCT04409275) is a multicenter prospective observational cohort study aimed to evaluate discharged patients. Pulmonary function tests, circulating serum biomarkers, chest radiography and chest CT were performed at outpatient visits.

RESULTS

In total, 313, aged 61.12 ± 12.26 years, out of 481 included patients were available. The proportion of patients with DLCO < 80% was 54.6% and 47% at 60 and 180 days. Associated factors with diffusion impairment at 6 months were female sex (OR: 2.97, 95%CI 1.74-5.06,  = 0.001), age (OR: 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01-1.05,  = 0.005), and peak RALE score (OR: 1.22, 95% CI 1.06-1.40,  = 0.005). Patients with altered lung diffusion showed higher levels of MMP-7 (11.54 ± 8.96 vs 6.71 ± 4.25,  = 0.001), and periostin (1.11 ± 0.07 vs 0.84 ± 0.40,  = 0.001). 226 patients underwent CT scan, of whom 149 (66%) had radiological sequelae of COVID-19. In severe patients, 68.35% had ground glass opacities and 38.46% had parenchymal bands. Early fibrotic changes were associated with higher levels of MMP7 (13.20 ± 9.20 vs 7.92 ± 6.32,  = 0.001), MMP1 (10.40 ± 8.21 vs 6.97 ± 8.89,  = 0.023), and periostin (1.36 ± 0.93 vs 0.87 ± 0.39,  = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Almost half of patients with moderate or severe COVID-19 pneumonia had impaired pulmonary diffusion six months after discharge. Severe patients showed fibrotic lesions in CT scan and elevated serum biomarkers involved in pulmonary fibrosis.