Pulmonary Fibrosis Progression in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients: The Role of Environmental and Climatic Stressors in Post-Infection Recovery in Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the development of pulmonary fibrosis in hospitalised COVID-19 patients as well as the relationship between post-infection recovery risks and environmental and climatic stresses. 49 patients who were hospitalised between March and September 2020 in Jinnah Hospital's Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in Lahore were the subject of a retrospective investigation. In order to evaluate the onset of fibrosis, the study examined high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) images taken at the early, middle, and late stages of disease. In the early period, none of the patients experienced fibrosis; in the intermediate and late phases, fibrosis was present in 81.2% and 90.5% of the patients, respectively. The study also placed the effects of environmental factors specifically in Lahore regarding air pollution, intense heat, and urban heat islands that made the post-COVID recovery process more difficult in perspective. It has been discovered that certain environmental stresses exacerbate pulmonary fibrosis and prolong symptoms including exhaustion and dyspnoea. Our research highlights the intricate relationship between environmental variables and COVID-19 recovery in South Asia, underscoring the pressing need for improved post-pandemic healthcare interventions in areas with severe pollution and climatic issues. Effective follow-up treatment is essential to preventing long-term respiratory impairments, especially in places with high pollution levels and unfavourable weather. This care includes routine HRCT imaging and respiratory rehabilitation.