Pakistan Journal of Chest Medicine

Clinical Outcomes and Risk Factors of Post-COVID Pulmonary Fibrosis in Hospitalized Patients

2026-05-13T13:02:19+00:00

Background: Post-COVID pulmonary fibrosis is an important long-term respiratory complication among patients recovering from moderate-to-severe COVID-19, particularly those requiring hospitalization. Persistent fibrotic changes may lead to chronic dyspnea, impaired pulmonary function, oxygen dependency, and reduced quality of life. Identification of high-risk patients is essential for timely follow-up and intervention.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical outcomes and risk factors associated with post-COVID pulmonary fibrosis among hospitalized patients.

Methodology: This retrospective observational study was conducted at the Department of Medicine, Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences, Jamshoro, from August 2024 to July 2025. A total of 212 adult patients previously hospitalized with RT-PCR-confirmed COVID-19 infection were included through consecutive non-probability sampling. Patients with follow-up high-resolution computed tomography chest performed at least 12 weeks after recovery were included. Patients with pre-existing interstitial lung disease, pulmonary fibrosis, active pulmonary tuberculosis, connective tissue disease-related lung involvement, lung malignancy, or incomplete records were excluded. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.0.

Results: Post-COVID pulmonary fibrosis was identified in 49 patients, giving a prevalence of 23.1%. Patients with fibrosis were significantly older than those without fibrosis (59.8 ± 12.6 vs 50.7 ± 13.2 years, p=0.0003). Smoking history, obesity, diabetes mellitus, prolonged hospital stay, ICU admission, oxygen requirement, mechanical ventilation, and raised inflammatory markers were significantly associated with fibrosis. Fibrotic patients also had higher rates of persistent dyspnea, chronic cough, oxygen dependency, pulmonary function abnormalities, and rehospitalization. Multivariable regression identified advanced age, smoking history, ICU admission, and mechanical ventilation as independent predictors.

Conclusion: Post-COVID pulmonary fibrosis affected nearly one-quarter of hospitalized COVID-19 survivors and was associated with severe acute illness and poorer respiratory outcomes.

Evaluation of Health-Related Quality of Life Among Patients with Respiratory Diseases in a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital

2026-07-23T17:56:03+00:00

Background: Respiratory diseases have been considered as an important source of morbidity and mortality globally and have considerable implications for the physical, psychological, and social well-being of the patients. There is scant literature on the HRQoL of respiratory disease patients in Pakistan. The objective of this study was to determine HRQoL of the patients with respiratory diseases in Pakistan.

Methods: Cross-sectional research was carried out at the Department of Pulmonology, Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar from January 2024 to June 2024. The sample size consisted of 180 patients aged 18 years and older suffering from pulmonary diseases like COPD, asthma, tuberculosis, pneumonia, bronchiectasis, and interstitial lung diseases by non-probability consecutive sampling technique. Information was gathered by employing a well-structured questionnaire involving sociodemographic and clinical factors along with the assessment of HRQoL by utilizing EuroQol EQ-5D. All data were processed utilizing SPSS software version 26. Descriptive analysis, chi-square test, independent t-test, and ANOVA were utilized, and p-value <0.05 was taken as significant.

Results: The predominant demographic profile among the sample included middle-aged respondents (39.4%), males (58.3%), married individuals (80.5%), and those from lower socioeconomic status (55.6%). The most prevalent diseases among the patients suffering from respiratory diseases were chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) (28.8%), tuberculosis (21.1%), and asthma (17.7%). The aspect of pain or discomfort was identified as the most affected HRQoL domain among 52.2% respondents, whereas 18.8% experienced serious problems. The association between HRQoL and age (p=0.001), smoking (p=0.002), and disease type (p=0.001). It is important to note that in general, 62% of participants have poor HRQoL while only 38% have good HRQoL.

Conclusion: Respiratory diseases lower the quality of life especially among elderly people, smokers, and those with chronic respiratory diseases. A comprehensive approach to managing respiratory diseases should be adopted, and it includes early detection, quitting smoking, pulmonary rehabilitation, and psychological counseling.

Biomass Fuel and the Burden of COPD in Pakistani Women: Time for Cleaner Solutions

2026-06-26T09:52:43+00:00

Millions of Pakistani women spend hours daily in smoke-filled kitchens burning biomass fuels (wood, dung, crop residues). This exposure causes COPD, chronic bronchitis, and impaired lung function even in non-smokers. Evidence shows household PM2.5 is strongly associated with wheeze, cough, and sputum production, with women bearing the greatest burden. Cleaner fuels, improved ventilation, community education, and early screening are urgently needed to address this preventable crisis.