The clinical, functional, and radiological effect of long-term used immunosuppressive therapy for post-COVID-19 interstitial lung disease Immunosuppressive therapy in post-COVID-19-ILD
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Keywords
Immunosuppressive therapy, Interstitial lung diseases, Post-COVID-19
Abstract
Background and aim: Persistent interstitial lung disease (ILD) after COVID-19 infection can lead to severe loss of respiratory function and a decrease in the quality of life. There is no consensus regarding the treatment of post-COVID-19-ILD. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of immunosuppressive treatment for this group of patients. Methods: This retrospective observational study included patients diagnosed with post-COVID-19-ILD from 2021 to 2022. Patients who had pulmonary symptoms, required prolonged oxygen therapy, and/or had restrictive pulmonary function test (PFT) and/or DLCO <80%, with diffuse parenchymal involvement on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT), were given immunosuppressive treatment with methylprednisolone and/or mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and followed up for 6 months. Results: Among the 48 patients, 35 were treated. Two patients were excluded due to discontinued treatment and passed away before the study period ended. Of 33 cases, 21 (66.6%) were treated with methylprednisolone, 11 (33%) with methylprednisolone + MMF, and 1 (0.4%) with MMF alone. Comparing baseline and 6th-month data revealed significant improvement in mMRC score, saturation (SpO2), FVC, FVC%, FEV%, and DLCO% values (p<0.005). While regression was observed in all radiologic findings, regression in ground glass and reticulation was statistically significant (p<0.005). When the 1st and 6th-month data were compared, a significant increase was observed in SpO2 and DLCO% values (p=0.016) and there was a significant regression in reticulation radiologically (p=0.01).Conclusions: Long-term immunosuppressive therapy may be preferred in proper cases of post-COVID-19-ILD as an effective and safe treatment option that improves the quality of life, respiratory parameters, and radiologic findings.
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Sule Gul, University of Health Sciences, Yedikule Chest Diseases and Thoracic Surgery Education and Research Hospital, Chest Diseases, Istanbul, Turkey
Chest Diseases
Barış Demirkol, University of Health Sciences, Başakşehir Çam and Sakura City Hospital, Chest Diseases, Istanbul, Turkey
Chest Diseases
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