Medium and Long Term Follow-up of COVID-19 Infected Patients: Research and Characterization of Pulmonary Sequelae

Medium and Long Term Follow-up of SARS-COV-2 Infected Patients Treated at Besançon and Dijon Hospitals: Research and Characterization of Pulmonary Sequelae

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the cause of atypical emerging pneumonia. The clinical spectrum varies from an asymptomatic or mild illness to a serious illness with a high risk of mortality. The most severely affected patients (5%) present an acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), requiring assistance with mechanical ventilation in intensive care.

In 2003, persistent lung damage was observed in a third of patients in a Singaporean cohort one year after SARS-CoV infection. A Chinese study showed that 27.3% of their SARS-CoV patients presented a decreased carbon monoxide diffusion (DLCO) and 21.5% of pulmonary fibrosis lesions.

Due to the very recent emergence of SARS-CoV-2, no data is currently available of long-term outcome of these patients. However, recent publications including short-term CT monitoring suggest the genesis of fibrotic pulmonary parenchymal sequelae.

In view of these data, the investigators can fear the occurrence of pulmonary sequelae in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. It is therefore essential to evaluate the evolution of the respiratory status of the most severe patients who have had a stay in intensive care with respiratory assistance.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patient infected by SARS-CoV-2 (diagnosed by RT-PCR and / or typical CT imaging)
• Patient hospitalized in the intensive care units of Besançon or Dijon hospitals for severe SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia
• Postmenopausal woman for at least 24 months or surgically sterilized, or, for woman of childbearing age, use of an effective method of contraception
• Signature of informed consent to participate indicating that the subject has understood the purpose and the procedures required by the study and that he agrees to participate in the study.
• Affiliation to a French social security system .

Exclusion Criteria:

• Chronic respiratory failure under long-term oxygen therapy
• Known diffuse invasive pneumonia
• Life expectancy estimated at less than one year by the doctor
• Legal incapacity or limited legal capacity
• History of psychiatric illness, intellectual disability, lack of motivation or other conditions that may limit the understanding of informed consent
• Subject unlikely to cooperate in the study and / or weak cooperation anticipated by the investigator
• Subject without health insurance
• Pregnant and / or lactating woman
• Subject being in the exclusion period of another study or foreseen by the "national file of the volunteers".