TY - JOUR T1 - Pulmonary function test and computed tomography features during follow-up after SARS, MERS and COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis JF - ERJ Open Research JO - erjor DO - 10.1183/23120541.00056-2022 VL - 8 IS - 2 SP - 00056-2022 AU - Christopher C. Huntley AU - Ketan Patel AU - Shahnoor-E-Salam Bil Bushra AU - Farah Mobeen AU - Michael N. Armitage AU - Anita Pye AU - Chloe B. Knight AU - Alyaa Mostafa AU - Marie Kershaw AU - Aishah Z. Mughal AU - Emily McKemey AU - Alice M. Turner AU - P. Sherwood Burge AU - Gareth I. Walters Y1 - 2022/04/01 UR - http://openres.ersjournals.com/content/8/2/00056-2022.abstract N2 - Background The COVID-19 pandemic follows severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) coronavirus epidemics. Some survivors of COVID-19 infection experience persistent respiratory symptoms, yet their cause and natural history remain unclear. Follow-up after SARS and MERS may provide a model for predicting the long-term pulmonary consequences of COVID-19.Methods This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to describe and compare the longitudinal pulmonary function test (PFT) and computed tomography (CT) features of patients recovering from SARS, MERS and COVID-19. Meta-analysis of PFT parameters (DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model) and proportion of CT features (Freeman-Tukey transformation random-effects model) were performed.Findings Persistent reduction in the diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide following SARS and COVID-19 infection is seen at 6 months follow-up, and 12 months after MERS. Other PFT parameters recover in this time. 6 months after SARS and COVID-19, ground-glass opacity, linear opacities and reticulation persist in over 30% of patients; honeycombing and traction dilatation are reported less often. Severe/critical COVID-19 infection leads to greater CT and PFT abnormality compared to mild/moderate infection.Interpretation Persistent diffusion defects suggestive of parenchymal lung injury occur after SARS, MERS and COVID-19 infection, but improve over time. After COVID-19 infection, CT features are suggestive of persistent parenchymal lung injury, in keeping with a post-COVID-19 interstitial lung syndrome. It is yet to be determined if this is a regressive or progressive disease.A mild reduction in DLCO, and ground-glass opacity, linear opacities and reticulation on CT may persist after #COVID19 at 6 months: severe/critical COVID-19 acute infection increases this risk. Similar patterns observed after SARS and MERS. https://bit.ly/35u3ree ER -