Genetic Variants in Genes Related to Lung Function and Interstitial Lung Diseases Are Associated with Worse Outcomes in Severe COVID-19 and Lung Performance in the Post-COVID-19 Condition.

Summary

In 936 hospitalized COVID-19 patients, genetic variants in lung function and ILD-related genes were examined against severe outcomes (IMV requirement, ARDS classification) and mortality. In 102 post-COVID patients, serial pulmonary function tests over one year linked genetic background to longitudinal lung performance. Findings support shared pathogenic pathways between chronic respiratory gene networks and COVID-19 severity and recovery.

Key Findings

• In 936 hospitalized COVID-19 patients, severe outcomes were assessed using IMV requirement, ARDS classification, and in-hospital mortality.
• Variants in lung function and ILD genes were associated with worse acute outcomes and with lung performance during the post-COVID-19 condition (as per title).
• A post-COVID cohort of 102 patients underwent pulmonary function testing four times over one year, enabling longitudinal association analyses.

Clinical Implications

Genetic markers may help identify patients at risk for severe respiratory failure (IMV/ARDS) and guide follow-up intensity after discharge, including targeted pulmonary rehabilitation.

Limitations

• Specific variants and effect sizes are not detailed in the abstract
• Potential confounding and population stratification; external validation not described

Future Directions

Independent replication across ancestries, functional validation of implicated variants/pathways, and development of polygenic risk tools integrating acute and long-term outcomes.