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Abstract The long-term effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and their determinants, are still unknown. This study aimed to assess symptoms one year after admission for COVID-19, according to the organ/system involved, and to identify factors. Cross-sectional study with retrospective data collection from March 2020 to February 2021. Inclusion criteria: aged ≥ 18 years and admitted for COVID-19. Exclusion criteria: death, not localized, refusal to participate, cognitive impairment or language barrier. A telephone survey was conducted on long COVID-related symptoms one year after hospital discharge. n = 486. The most frequent symptom groups were neurological (n = 225; 46.3%) and respiratory (n = 201; 41.4%). Multivariable analysis showed that a history of anxiety was significantly associated with psychiatric symptoms (ORa = 2.04, 95%CI = 1.02–4.06), fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue with general symptoms (ORa = 11.59, 95%CI = 1.47–9.34) and obesity with respiratory (ORa 1.90, 95%CI = 1.27–2.83) and musculoskeletal symptoms (ORa 1.96, 95%CI = 1.30–2.96). Male sex was associated with a significantly lower risk of neurological (ORa 0.64, 95%CI = 0.44–0.93), respiratory (ORa 0.45, 95%CI = 0.31–0.67), general (ORa 0.43, 95%CI = 0.29–0.63), psychiatric (ORa 0.34, 95%CI = 0.22–0.51), musculoskeletal (ORa 0.47, 95%CI = 0.32–0.70), dermatological (ORa 0.24, 95%CI = 0.14–0.42) and digestive (ORa 0.38, 95%CI = 0.20–0.73) symptoms. Advanced age (≥ 71 years) also had a protective effect against general (ORa 0.60, 95%CI = 0.39–0.95), psychiatric (ORa 0.39, 95%CI = 0.23–0.64), and dermatological (ORa 0.47, 95%CI = 0.24–0.92) symptoms. Patients admitted for SARS-CoV-2 infection frequently experience symptoms at one year, especially neurological and respiratory symptoms. Female sex, obesity, a history of anxiety and fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue were independent risk factors for presenting symptoms. Advanced age acted as a protective factor.

IntroductionThe long-term effects of SARS-CoV-2 are unclear, as are the factors influencing the evolution. Objective: to assess health-related quality of life 1 year after a hospital admission due to COVID-19 and to identify factors that may influence it.Materials and methodsRetrospective observational study in a tertiary hospital from March 2021 to February 2022. Inclusion criteria: ≥18 years old and admitted for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Exclusion criteria: death, not located, refusal to participate, cognitive impairment, and language barrier. Variables: demographic data, medical history, clinical and analytical outcomes during hospital admission, treatment received, and vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 following admission. Participants were interviewed by phone 1 year after admission, using the SF-36 quality of life questionnaire.ResultsThere were 486 included patients. The domains yielding the lowest scores were general health (median 65%, interquartile range [IQR] 45–80), vitality (median 65%, IQR 45–80), and mental health (median 73.5%, IQR 60–100). Multivariable analysis showed that female sex and fibromyalgia/fatigue had a negative influence on all domains. Obesity was associated with worse outcomes in physical functioning, physical role, bodily pain, and vitality. Other factors associated with worse scores were an older age in physical functioning and high age-adjusted Charslon comorbidity in physical functioning and general health. Age was associated with better results in emotional role and High C-reactive protein at admission on vitality.ConclusionOne year after admission for COVID-19, quality of life remains affected, especially the domains of general health, vitality, and mental health. Factors associated with worse outcomes are female sex, fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue, and obesity.

Abstract Background SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia can cause significant long-term radiological changes, even resembling pulmonary fibrosis. However, the risk factors for these long-term effects are unknown. This study aims to assess radiological abnormalities and their possible risk factors six months after hospital discharge due to COVID-19 pneumonia. Material and methods This cross-sectional study in a tertiary hospital included adults admitted for COVID-19 pneumonia from March 2020 to February 2021, who underwent high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scans of the chest six months after hospital discharge. The primary outcome was radiological abnormalities on HRCT, while the main explanatory variables were drawn from the patient’s medical history along with the disease course, analytical indicators, and the treatment received during admission. Results The 189 included patients had a mean age of 61.5 years; 70.9% were male, and hypertension was the main comorbidity (45%). About two-thirds (67.2%) presented acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Most (97.9%) received systemic corticosteroid therapy, and 81% presented pathological findings on HRCT, most commonly ground glass (63.5%), followed by bronchial dilatation (36%) and subpleural bands (25.4%). The multivariable analysis showed that age was the main risk factor, associated with most radiological changes. Other factors were the duration of corticosteroid therapy for ground glass (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.020) as well as a longer stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) (aOR 1.290) and high levels of IL-6 for bronchial dilation (aOR 1.002). Conclusion Radiological involvement of the lungs six months after COVID-19 pneumonia is frequent, especially ground glass. Elderly patients with prolonged ICU admission and a significant inflammatory response measured by IL-6 are more likely to present worse radiological evolution and are candidates for radiological follow-up after COVID-19 pneumonia.