The aim of this study is to evaluate whether there are chronic effects in the pulmonary system and systemic level in individuals in the post COVID19 period in order to elucidate the involvement of inflammation after recovery. In addition, a perspective on the utility of pulmonary function testing and pulmonary ultrasound in the evaluation of chronic effects and patient follow-up will is aimed to be provided. By measuring the protein levels of inflammatory markers along with the data abovementioned, a foresight regarding the long-term effects of the previous infection at both functional and immunological levels will be obtained, allowing us to evaluate the post-COVID period from different angles. Volunteers who recovered from COVID-19 and those who didn't have COVID-19 were compared by evaluating chest x-ray scores (CXR), lung ultrasound scores (LUSS), pulmonary function tests and inflammatory cytokine levels (TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6, IL-17A).
Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate whether there are chronic effects in the pulmonary system and systemic level in individuals in the post COVID19 period in order to elucidate the involvement of inflammation after recovery. In addition, a perspective on the utility of pulmonary function testing and pulmonary ultrasound in the evaluation of chronic effects and patient follow-up will is aimed to be provided. By measuring the protein levels of inflammatory markers along with the data abovementioned, a foresight regarding the long-term effects of the previous infection at both functional and immunological levels will be obtained, allowing us to evaluate the post-COVID period from different angles. Materials and Methods: Volunteers who recovered from COVID-19 infection at least 3 months or more were included in the study, while healthy volunteers who did not have the infection were enrolled as the control group. Two groups were compared by evaluating chest x-ray scores (CXR), lung ultrasound scores (LUSS), pulmonary function tests and inflammatory cytokine levels (TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6, IL-17A).
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
100
Volunteers underwent pulmonary ultrasound and respiratory function test
Yeditepe University
Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)
Pulmonary Ultrasound
Pulmonary Ultrasound is going to be made and evaluated by using LUSS score. LUSS score is an evlatuation score for pulmonary ultrasound. For the study, both hemithoraces of the patient will divided into eight areas in total. The evaluation is going to be performed in the right hemithorax upper anterior, right hemithorax lower anterior, right hemithorax upper lateral, right hemithorax lower lateral, left hemithorax upper anterior, left hemithorax lower anterior, left hemithorax upper lateral, and left hemithorax lower lateral regions, respectively. During the assessment, the researcher is going to be positioned on the right side of the patient for the right hemithorax assessment and on the left side for the left hemithorax assessment. Each area will be scored between 0-3 and for final score, score for each zone will be collected . 24 is the worst score and 0 is the best score.
Time frame: 1 month
Respiratory Function Test
Respiratory Function Test results are going to be recorded. The recorded values will be FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC, PEF, FRC and TLC values.
Time frame: 1 month
Chest X-ray Evaluation
Chest X-ray evaluation is going to be made according to CXR score. During the evaluation of chest radiography, the pulmonary parenchyma is going to be divided into a total of six regions as right/left and apical region/mid region/basal region. Post COVID-19 changes are going to be taken into consideration when scoring criteria is made; 0- No abnormal findings 1. Interstitial infiltrates (Septal thickening and focal or extensional opacity) 2. Interstitial and alveolar infiltrates (Interstitial predominant) 3. Interstitial and alveolar infiltrates (Alveolar predominance) The criteria looked at as A points will be scored. Each zone is going to be evaluated with a score defined as A score and the scores of each zone is going to be summed to obtain a total score. Thus, each radiograph will be given a score between 0-18 by scoring all six defined zones and an evaluation will be made.
Time frame: 1 month
Blood Cytokine Result Analysis
Blood Cytokine Result Analysis is going to be made by Cytokine-Bead Array. The measured cytokines will be TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6 and IL-17A
Time frame: 1 month
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