A PROSPECTIVE COHORT STUDY FOR COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF RESPIRATORY MORBIDITY OF COVID-19 AMONG SARS-COV2 SURVIVORS

Introduction: COVID-19, caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, was first identified in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. It rapidly evolved into a global health crisis, challenging modern healthcare systems and public health policies. Long COVID, also known as Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), refers to a range of symptoms and health complications that persist for weeks or months after the acute phase of COVID-19 has resolved. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines Long COVID as symptoms that last for at least two months and occur three months after infection. These symptoms can significantly impact the quality of life, with some patients experiencing lasting issues long after recovery from the initial infection. This study was done with the aim to investigate the impact of extended morbidity of covid-19 among SARS CoV-2 survivors. Material and method: The study is conducted at the Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Institute of Medical Science and Research, Jaipur, Rajasthan. We observed 235 patients in 18 months period. Result: A total of 235 participants were included in this prospective cohort study assessing respiratory morbidity among SARS-CoV-2 survivors. Of the study population, 136 (57.9%) were male, and 99 (42.1%) were female. The mean age of the participants was 59.49 years, with a standard deviation of ±16.99 years Conclusion: Given the complexity of the long-term impact of COVID-19, further research is critical to fully understand the mechanisms behind these lingering symptoms and immune responses. Longitudinal studies exploring immune system regulation, including the role of IgG and other immune markers, in SARS-CoV-2 survivors are necessary to identify potential therapeutic targets. Moreover, a deeper understanding of how severe illness and comorbidities influence long-term respiratory health is essential to developing strategies for better management and recovery of affected individuals. Ultimately, such research will contribute to improving clinical management strategies and enhancing quality of life for COVID-19 survivor.