OBJECTIVE

To study the nature of respiratory and cardiovascular systems’ damage in patients with COVID-19, as well as to assess the severity of asthenia, anxiety-depressive disorders, mental state/cognitive functions at the time of hospital discharge

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study included 59 patients hospitalized with a confirmed acute coronavirus infection and pneumonia with lung damage of 2nd—4th severity degree according to results of computed tomography (CT). CT of thoracic organs, ultrasound examination of lungs according to the developed protocol, electrocardiography, echocardiography, dyspnoea assessment on the mMRC and Borg scales, 6-minute walk test, asthenia test, evaluation on the Spielberger—Hanin anxiety scale, on the Beck depression inventory, on the MMSE short scale of cognitive functions, quality of life assessment on the EQ-5D were performed.

RESULTS

All patients with COVID-associated pneumonia were discharged with improved clinical condition, but weakness (84.7%) and cough (78%) remained. Pulmonary hypertension was found in every third patient and was moderate even in patients with CT 3—4, and the sizes of cardiac chambers were larger than in patients without pulmonary hypertension. D-dimer content ≥471 ng/ml with a sensitivity of 72.2% and a specificity of 52.6% predicts the formation of a consolidation greater than 1.0 cm and affects the desaturation. The presence of consolidation greater than 1.0 cm increased the risk of desaturation development at 6-MWT by 3.8 times and caused a more pronounced degree of depression and anxiety. All patients had asthenia and anxiety, and depression was experienced by every second patient.

CONCLUSION

Structural changes in pulmonary tissue maintained in all patients, which was reflected in functional tests. Changes in the psychoemotional status of patients had a significant impact on the level of daily activity.