Prevalence and predictors of post-COVID-19 pulmonary fibrosis

Background
Several studies are ongoing to obtain more information about post-COVID-19 (corona virus disease-19) pulmonary fibrosis. Old-aged patients are more likely to evolve lung fibrosis in COVID-19. Another risk factor is the degree of disease severity, including comorbidities, such as hypertension, diabetes, as well as lab findings, for example, lymphopenia and leukocytosis.


Aims of work
To assess the prevalence of post-COVID-19 pulmonary fibrosis and reveal some of its predictors.


Results
The study included 50 patients in the outpatient clinics of Chest and EL-Helal Hospitals with a mean age of 49.6 ± 17.7 years. It included 32 (64%) males and 18 (36%) females. Pulmonary fibrosis was detected in 34 (68%) patients. Pulmonary fibrosis was bilateral in 24 patients and unilateral in 10 patients. Leucopenia, elevated serum ferritin, elevated D-dimer, and elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) were associated with pulmonary fibrosis (P value <0.001).


Conclusion
Pulmonary fibrosis is recognized as a complication between survivors. Immune response due to lung injury by viral infection, and trials to repair are keys to the procedure of fibro genesis. Predictors of lung fibrosis involve increased lab parameters such as serum ferritin, C-reactive protein, and D-dimer.