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Review paper

Chest x-ray resolution after SARS-CoV-2 infection

By
Enes Hodžić ,
Enes Hodžić

School of Medicine, University of Zenica , Zenica , Bosnia and Herzegovina

General Hospital Tešanj , Tešanj , Bosnia and Herzegovina

Ajdin Ibrahimović ,
Ajdin Ibrahimović

General Hospital Tešanj , Tešanj , Bosnia and Herzegovina

Anel Mahmutović ,
Anel Mahmutović

General Hospital Tešanj , Tešanj , Bosnia and Herzegovina

Rifat Sejdinović ,
Rifat Sejdinović

General Hospital Tešanj , Tešanj , Bosnia and Herzegovina

School of Medicine, University of Zenica , Zenica , Bosnia and Herzegovina

Nedžada Irejiz ,
Nedžada Irejiz

General Hospital Tešanj , Tešanj , Bosnia and Herzegovina

Jusuf Mehić ,
Jusuf Mehić

General Hospital Tešanj , Tešanj , Bosnia and Herzegovina

Tanja Dujić ,
Tanja Dujić

Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sarajevo , Sarajevo , Bosnia and Herzegovina

Maja Malenica ,
Maja Malenica

Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sarajevo , Sarajevo , Bosnia and Herzegovina

Emina Karahmet ,
Emina Karahmet

Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sarajevo , Sarajevo , Bosnia and Herzegovina

Besim Prnjavorac Orcid logo ,
Besim Prnjavorac
Contact Besim Prnjavorac

General Hospital Tešanj , Tešanj , Bosnia and Herzegovina

School of Medicine, University of Zenica , Zenica , Bosnia and Herzegovina

Sarajevo School of Science and Technology , Sarajevo , Bosnia and Herzegovina

Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sarajevo , Sarajevo , Bosnia and Herzegovina

Hasan Škiljo ,
Hasan Škiljo

General Hospital Tešanj , Tešanj , Bosnia and Herzegovina

School of Medicine, University of Zenica , Zenica , Bosnia and Herzegovina

Mutapčić Meliha ,
Mutapčić Meliha

School of Medicine, University of Zenica , Zenica , Bosnia and Herzegovina

Cantonal Hospital Zenica , Zenica , Bosnia and Herzegovina

Vildana Torlak-Arnaut ,
Vildana Torlak-Arnaut

School of Medicine, University of Zenica , Zenica , Bosnia and Herzegovina

Cantonal Hospital Zenica , Zenica , Bosnia and Herzegovina

Edin Begić ,
Edin Begić

Sarajevo School of Science and Technology , Sarajevo , Bosnia and Herzegovina

General Hospital “Prim.dr Abdulah Nakaš“ Sarajevo , Sarajevo , Bosnia and Herzegovina

Edin Jusufović ,
Edin Jusufović

School of Medicine, University of Tuzla , Tuzla , Bosnia and Herzegovina

Health and Educational Medical Center for Pulmonary Diseases , Tuzla , Bosnia and Herzegovina

Tamer Bego ,
Tamer Bego

Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sarajevo , Sarajevo , Bosnia and Herzegovina

Lejla Prnjavorac ,
Lejla Prnjavorac

General Hospital Tešanj , Tešanj , Bosnia and Herzegovina

Aida Mujaković
Aida Mujaković

Sarajevo School of Science and Technology , Sarajevo , Bosnia and Herzegovina

General Hospital “Prim.dr Abdulah Nakaš“ Sarajevo , Sarajevo , Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract

Aim
To analyse the resolution of chest X-ray findings in relation to laboratory parameters in patients infected with acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in a two- month followup. Analysis of chest X-ray findings in the first few months after the disease is the main goal of our work.
Methods
Out of the total of 343 patients chest X-ray findings were followed in 269 patients. Patients were divided into groups
according to the severity of findings. D-dimer, inflammatory markers, blood cell count, neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were analysed. Chest X-ray was analysed during the hospitalization on the day of admission, on the third, the seventh and the fourteenth day (scoring method was used). After discharge chest X-ray was performed in a two-week follow-up, then after one and two months, and after three months if necessary.
Results
Incomplete chest X-ray resolution was identified in 24 (39.34%) patients with severe, 27 (22.31 %) patients with moderate and in three (3.91%) patients with mild findings. Statistical significance was established in overall score by comparison between all groups (p<0.001), and in the moderate compared to the mild group (p=0.0051). The difference of NLR in the severe compared to the moderate group was observed (p=0.0021) and in the severe group compared to the mild group (p=0.00013).
Conclusion
Chest X-ray findings persisted mostly in the severe group followed by the moderate and mild ones. Long-term followup is necessary for the appropriate treatment and prevention of fibrosis, and reduction of symptoms. 

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