Diagnostic Value of Blood Oxygen Saturation and C-Reactive Protein (CRP) in Predicting Lung Sequels in COVID-19 Infected Patients Admitted to Hospital: A 12-week Cohort Study

Background: Evidence of COVID-19 respiratory sequels is restricted and predisposing factors are not well studied more than two years passing pandemic. This study followed COVID-19 patients 12 weeks after discharge from hospital for respiratory sequels. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective study on discharged COVID-19 patients in 2021, in Jahrom, Iran. Exposure was COVID-19 clinical features at hospitalization, including symptoms and physical examination and laboratory findings, and primary endpoint was 12-week lung sequel, being evaluated by a chest CT scan. Demographics and previous medical history were considered covariates. SPO2 and CRP 6-week changes were followed as an early tool for prediction of 12-week lung sequel. Results: Totally, 383 participants (17 had sequels) with mean age of 57.43±18.03 years old (50.13% male) completed 12-week study follow-ups. Ninety-one (23.8%) subjects had an ICU admission history. SPO2% in 6th week was statistically significantly associated with a higher rate of 12-week sequelae (p