Abstract
Background: Although PCR is the golden test for proving infection1. Chest CT has been shown to be more sensitive for the detection of COVID-19.2 Ground glass opacities or consolidation or both by chest CTs assessment.3 CT-scan findings after one year linked with continuous symptoms after primary mild- moderate Covid-19 infection.4,5,3
Aim of the study: Following -up the included patients of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 infections with persistent respiratory symptoms by the chest CT findings after 12 months with from before evaluating the association of these symptoms with CT scan findings.
Methodology: An observational, cross-sectional study conducted on 150 patients who attended the Respiratory Diseases Consultation Clinic in Al-Hussien Teaching Hospital during the period from June 2023 to January 2024 in Al Nasiriyah City, Thi-Qar Province, Iraq. All patients suffered from continuing SARS-CoV-2 symptoms post mild or moderate disease -severity.
Results: The male participants accounted for about (62%) of the total population. Those with aged group between (26 -50) years accounted for about (66.67%). Symptomatic cases with dry cough and dyspnea form about (52.67%) and (63.33%) respectively while those with thoracic pain formed about (63.67%). Normal chest CT scan findings accounted for (58.67%) while abnormal formed about 41.33%. It distributed as unilateral and bilateral findings by (16.67% and 24.67%) respectively. Only 17.33% of patients had interlobular septal thickening; 20% had ground glass opacities (GGO); 12.67% had fibrotic-like changes; 7.33% had reticulation; 4% had consolidation; 7.3% had honeycombing; and 4% had bronchiectasis.
Conclusion: Mild and moderate Covid-19 infections were established with distinct chest CT scans abnormalities after one year later. Persistent post Covid 19 respiratory symptoms, especially cough, and thoracic pain, was pretrained to underline radiological changes by CT--scan modality.
Recommendations: There Regular chest CT follow-up in the patients may be helpful in patients with persistent post Covid-19 infection symptoms. An increasing the sample size in different degree of the disease severity is a feasible concern for similar research.