A multicenter Scottish study reveals persistent multisystem abnormalities among 159 COVID-19 patients 28 to 60 days after release from the hospital, including cardio-renal inflammation, diminished lung function, worse quality of life, and poor outcomes.In the study, published yesterday in Nature Medicine, a team led by University of Glasgow researchers collected serial blood biomarkers and patient-reported outcomes and performed digital electrocardiography, chest computed tomography (CT) with pulmonary and coronary angiography, and cardio-renal (heart-kidney) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the hospital and 28 to 60 days later.
For longer-term outcomes, the researchers accessed electronic health records.Patients were screened from May 22, 2020, to Mar 16, 2021.
The 159 COVID-19 patients were, on average, 55 years old, and 43% were women, 87% were White, 9% were Asian, 3% were Arab, 1% were Black, 46% had a history of cardiovascular disease or treatment, 40% were in the highest quintile of social deprivation, 23% were healthcare workers, and nearly all were unvaccinated.
Their results were compared with those of 29 matched control patients who underwent the same tests at a single visit from Apr 13 to Jul 2, 2021.Twenty-two patients (15%) had normal chest radiologic results during COVID-19 hospitalization, 1.2% patients had received a single dose of vaccine before hospitalization, 9% required extra oxygen, 20% received noninvasive respiratory support, and 9% needed invasive ventilation.COVID-related myocarditis in up to 54%Relative to controls, COVID-19 patients had persistent signs of heart and lung involvement, inflammation, and a pro–blood-clotting environment 28 to 60 days after hospital release, including imaging