Uncontrolled Diabetes Mellitus Predicts Post-COVID-19 Fibrosis.

INTRODUCTION: Post-coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) complications are now well-recognized and may involve multiple organs. Post-COVID-19 pulmonary fibrosis is one of the serious long-term consequences of COVID-19 infection, and the risk factors for its development largely remain unidentified. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to evaluate the clinical and radiological profile of post COVID-19 patients with diagnosed diabetes mellitus (DM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: All the patients attending the post-COVID-19 respiratory care center over a period of 1 year who were diagnosed with cases of DM were evaluated for residual clinical symptoms and radiological changes and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels were measured from their blood samples. RESULTS: A total of 50 patients were enrolled in this observational cross-sectional study. Most patients were males in the age group of 45-60 years. Approximately 74% of patients had uncontrolled DM. Patients with uncontrolled DM had a higher probability of having a severe disease with an odds ratio (OR) of 7.30 (0.85, 62.42, and confidence interval (CI) 95%) and were more likely to have fibrotic abnormalities on computed tomography (CT) chest with OR of 3.38 (0.87, 16.86, and CI 95%). CONCLUSION: Uncontrolled diabetes predisposes to the development of post-COVID-19 fibrosis, so physicians should be more vigilant while managing these patients.

Pre-conference workshop on pulmonary rehabilitation and smoking cessation - NATCON 2022.

The 77th National Conference of Tuberculosis and Chest Diseases was held on 27th February 2023. The workshop on Pulmonary rehabilitation and smoking cessation was conducted as a part of the various pre-conference workshops being conducted on the occasion. It helped the participants to know regarding the role, efficacy and benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation and smoking cessation for the management of Chronic respiratory diseases.