Clinical Features and Outcomes of Patients with COVID-19 After Discharge: A Retrospective, Multi-center Study

Discov Med. 2021 Jul-Aug;32(165):39-47.

Abstract

Background: The follow-up data of discharged patients with coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) have not yet been fully analyzed and reported. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical features, test results, and outcomes of COVID-19 patients after discharge.

Methods: 149 COVID-19 patients with follow-up data after discharge were included. Post-hospitalization data related to clinical features and outcomes were obtained by following the patients up to 6 weeks.

Results: The COVID-19 patients were followed for a median of 28.0 days (range of 22 days to 42 days) after discharge from hospital. At the end of follow-up, four patients (2.7%) still had cough. The proportions of leukopenia and lymphopenia were 7.4% and 4.7%, respectively. The proportions of ALT, AST, and Cr abnormalities were 26.2%, 6.0%, and 0%, respectively. Abnormal chest CT was detected in 94 (63.1%) patients, including 14 (9.4%) unilateral pneumonia and 80 (53.7%) bilateral pneumonia. However, the proportion of chest CT abnormality significantly decreased compared to that at the time of admission.

Conclusions: One month after discharge, few patients with COVID-19 had clinical symptoms; however, a substantial proportion of COVID-19 patients harbored abnormal laboratory and radiological examinations. Moderately long-term medical follow-up would justifiably benefit COVID-19 patients after discharge.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19* / therapy
  • Humans
  • Patient Discharge
  • Retrospective Studies
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed