The relationship between lung fibrosis, the epidermal growth factor receptor, and disease outcomes in COVID-19 pneumonia: a postmortem evaluation

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between the severity of fibrosis in lung tissue and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) positivity in patients who died due to COVID-19 pneumonia, demographic characteristics, comorbidities, biochemical values, and treatments received. Fifty patients who died from COVID-19 pneumonia were included in the study. Demographic data for the patients, laboratory tests, thorax computerized tomography findings, comorbidities, length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU), intubation times, and treatments given were noted. Postmortem Tru-cut lung biopsy was performed. EGFR positivity was examined and grouped as negative, mild, moderate, and severe. Data were analyzed statistically. EGFR involvement was negative in 11 (22%), mild in 20 (40%), moderate in 13 (26%), and severe in 6 (12%) patients. The mean C-reactive protein (CRP) values, D-dimer values, and mean length of stay in the ICU were found to be significantly different between the groups (p = 0.024; p = 0.003; p = 0.016, respectively). Methylprednisolone dose and the presence of comorbidity did not differ significantly in EGFR involvement (p = 0.79; p = 0.98, respectively). CRP and D-dimer values can be used as a guide to assess the severity of pulmonary fibrosis that develops in severe COVID-19 pneumonia patients. The dose of methylprednisolone used does not make a significant difference in the severity of fibrosis. Trail registration: Clinical Trials.gov identifier date and number 01/13/2022 NCT05290441.