7 out of 40 Develop Pulmonary Fibrosis... All Aged 40 and Above
[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] Among domestic COVID-19 survivors, fatigue and sleep disorders were most common in younger age groups and mild cases, while respiratory difficulties were most prevalent in the elderly.
On the 26th, Kwon Jun-wook, Deputy Head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, stated at a regular briefing, "A survey and medical examination were conducted on 40 individuals at the National Medical Center to investigate post-COVID-19 sequelae, revealing that the frequency of symptoms varied by age group."
Deputy Head Kwon said, "Fatigue was the most common symptom at 44% among those aged 19 to 39, and also appeared in 58% of those aged 40 to 59. For those aged 60 and above, respiratory difficulties were the most frequent at 58%."
Looking at symptom severity, fatigue appeared in half of the mild cases, and about 50% of moderate cases reported fatigue and respiratory difficulties. Among severe cases, respiratory difficulties were reported by 60%, and sputum was present in 30%.
Psychiatric sequelae mainly included depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). While depression gradually decreased over time, PTSD showed an increasing trend.
Additionally, lung computed tomography (CT) results confirmed pulmonary fibrosis in 7 out of the 40 subjects, all of whom were aged 40 or older.
Deputy Head Kwon emphasized, "This survey is an interim result focusing on patients from a specific hospital and does not represent a comprehensive investigation of post-COVID-19 sequelae in the entire population. However, the study confirms that sequelae can occur in all age groups after recovery from COVID-19, so it is necessary for the public to strictly adhere to quarantine guidelines."
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