Initial severity of COVID-19 respiratory failure was associated with the degree of pulmonary impairment and respiratory quality of life 1 year after infection, according to the findings of an observational study involving 180 patients,   published in Respiratory Medicine last week.  The study ​​reported a close association between the CT score of lung involvement in the acute COVID-19 phase and pulmonary restriction and reduction in carbon monoxide diffusion capacity during follow-up. While fatigue, dyspnea, cough, cognitive impairment and joint pain were the most commonly reported symptoms within one year. It was conducted by a team of scientists  from the department of infectious diseases and respiratory medicine at the Free University of Berlin and Humboldt University of Berlin and the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.