AIMS: Long-term sequelae may occur after SARS-CoV-2 infection. We comprehensively assessed organ-specific functions in individuals after mild to moderate SARS-CoV-2 infection compared with controls from the general population. METHODS AND RESULTS: Four hundred and forty-three mainly non-hospitalized individuals were examined in median 9.6 months after the first positive SARS-CoV-2 test and matched for age, sex, and education with 1328 controls from a population-based German cohort. We assessed pulmonary, cardiac, vascular, renal, and neurological status, as well as patient-related outcomes. Bodyplethysmography documented mildly lower total lung volume (regression coefficient -3.24, adjusted P = 0.014) and higher specific airway resistance (regression coefficient 8.11, adjusted P = 0.001) after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Cardiac assessment revealed slightly lower measures of left (regression coefficient for left ventricular ejection fraction on transthoracic echocardiography -0.93, adjusted P = 0.015) and right ventricular function and higher concentrations of cardiac biomarkers (factor 1.14 for high-sensitivity troponin, 1.41 for N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, adjusted P ≤ 0.01) in post-SARS-CoV-2 patients compared with matched controls, but no significant differences in cardiac magnetic resonance imaging findings. Sonographically non-compressible femoral veins, suggesting deep vein thrombosis, were substantially more frequent after SARS-CoV-2 infection (odds ratio 2.68, adjusted P < 0.001). Glomerular filtration rate (regression coefficient -2.35, adjusted P = 0.019) was lower in post-SARS-CoV-2 cases. Relative brain volume, prevalence of cerebral microbleeds, and infarct residuals were similar, while the mean cortical thickness was higher in post-SARS-CoV-2 cases. Cognitive function was not impaired. Similarly, patient-related outcomes did not differ. CONCLUSION: Subjects who apparently recovered from mild to moderate SARS-CoV-2 infection show signs of subclinical multi-organ affection related to pulmonary, cardiac, thrombotic, and renal function without signs of structural brain damage, neurocognitive, or quality-of-life impairment. Respective screening may guide further patient management.
- Petersen, E. L.
- Goßling, A.
- Adam, G.
- Aepfelbacher, M.
- Behrendt, C. A.
- Cavus, E.
- Cheng, B.
- Fischer, N.
- Gallinat, J.
- Kühn, S.
- Gerloff, C.
- Koch-Gromus, U.
- Härter, M.
- Hanning, U.
- Huber, T. B.
- Kluge, S.
- Knobloch, J. K.
- Kuta, P.
- Schmidt-Lauber, C.
- Lütgehetmann, M.
- Magnussen, C.
- Mayer, C.
- Muellerleile, K.
- Münch, J.
- Nägele, F. L.
- Petersen, M.
- Renné, T.
- Riedl, K. A.
- Rimmele, D. L.
- Schäfer, I.
- Schulz, H.
- Tahir, E.
- Waschki, B.
- Wenzel, J. P.
- Zeller, T.
- Ziegler, A.
- Thomalla, G.
- Twerenbold, R.
- Blankenberg, S.
Keywords
- Covid-19
- Matched controls
- Multi-organ assessment
- Sequelae
