Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: OBJECTIVES: The primary aim of this study was to describe the prevalence and characteristics of lung ultrasound abnormalities six months after hospital discharge for COVID-19 pneumonia. METHODS: This prospective observational study included patients hospitalised with COVID-19 pneumonia between March 2020 and May 2022. Participants attended a follow-up visit between one and six months after discharge. A standardised 14-zone ultrasound protocol was applied in all cases. Clinical variables and symptoms, including dyspnoea graded using the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) scale, were recorded. RESULTS: The median time from discharge to follow-up assessment was 75 days. Lung involvement on ultrasound was frequent, observed in 79.3%. The most common findings were pleural line irregularities with B-lines (75.9%) and subpleural consolidations (35.6%). A B-line count ≥ 3 per segment was noted in 38.3%. Abnormalities were more common in the basal lung regions. Dyspnoea was the main respiratory symptom, reported by 67% with varying degrees on the mMRC scale. CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 pneumonia remains a significant public health concern, particularly among high-risk groups susceptible to severe disease and post-COVID sequelae. Efficient screening methods are needed for evaluating potential sequelae. The technical features of lung ultrasound-its accessibility, safety, reproducibility, and ability to detect pulmonary abnormalities during post-COVID follow-up-may render it a valuable tool for patient monitoring. In our series, lung ultrasound findings (pleural line irregularities, B-lines, and subpleural consolidations) were frequent. However, further studies correlating sonographic findings with associated factors and persistent symptoms are required to confirm and validate its role in this setting.
Source: BMC Pulmonary Medicine
Institutions: Hospital Costa del Sol, Universidad de Málaga
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,090
OpenAlex ID: W4416538403