Assessment of Pulmonary Function Testing and Lung Imaging in Long-Term Monitoring of Patients Recovering from COVID-19 Pneumonia

<bold>Background:</bold> COVID-19 pneumonia often leads to long-term respiratory complications, necessitating effective follow-up strategies. <bold>Objective:</bold> The study aims to evaluate the utility of PFT and lung imaging in monitoring the respiratory health of patients recovering from COVID-19 pneumonia in the long term. <bold>Methods:</bold> 120 individuals with a record of COVID-19 pneumonia were enrolled and followed up over a period of 12 months. PFT parameters comprising forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO), along with lung imaging findings such as ground-glass opacities and fibrotic changes, were assessed at regular intervals during follow-up visits. <bold>Results:</bold> PFT revealed persistent abnormalities in a significant proportion of patients, with reduced FVC, FEV1, and DLCO values observed. Specifically, FVC decreased by 12%, FEV1 by 10%, and DLCO by 15%, with a significant value of p < 0.001 from baseline. Lung imaging demonstrated a spectrum of changes ranging from residual ground-glass opacities to progressive fibrotic patterns, with 40% of patients exhibiting new or worsening fibrotic changes over the follow-up period. <bold>Conclusion:</bold> Pulmonary function testing and lung imaging are invaluable tools for monitoring the long-term respiratory sequelae of COVID-19 pneumonia. Regular follow-up incorporating these modalities is essential for timely intervention and management of post-COVID-19 respiratory complications.