COVID-19 follow-up programmes across Europe: an ERS END-COVID CRC survey
Claudia Valenzuela, Mattia Nigro, James D. Chalmers, Scott Wagers, Avinash Aujayeb, Merel E. Hellemons, Judith Löffler‐Ragg, Christopher E. Brightling, Stefano Aliberti
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 is responsible for a multi-organ syndrome that can last over 12 months after the initial infection, including pulmonary and systemic consequences with residual radiological or functional alterations [1–3]. According to international guidelines, post-COVID-19 syndrome or condition is defined by a variety of signs and symptoms occurring during or after an infection consistent with COVID-19, lasting for more than 8–12 weeks and not explained by an alternative diagnosis [4, 5]. Main symptoms are fatigue, dyspnea, arthralgia, chest pain, cough and neurocognitive impairment [6]. Approximately one third of patients reported an impaired quality of life 3 months after a COVID-19 diagnosis [7]. Given the wide range of symptoms and severity reported, no set of investigations and tests seems to be suitable for everyone and the optimal follow-up after severe COVID-19 infection is still unclear, with scarce data published on this topic [4, 8, 9]. Furthermore, criteria for patients’ inclusion in COVID-19 follow-up programs and standard operating procedures (SOPs) including imaging and functional assessment, telemedicine availability and characterization of the involved multidisciplinary teams across Europe are unknown. Based on published reports it can be expected that approaches to follow-up will be heterogenous among European countries [10].