Methods
This is a single-centre, prospective cohort study performed between 15 January and 5 March 2021 at the University of Health Sciences, Dr. Suat Seren Chest Disease and Thoracic Surgery Teaching and Research Hospital. This is a tertiary hospital specializing in pulmonary diseases and has been designated for patients with COVID-19 since March 2020. Our study was approved by the ethics committee of University of Health Sciences, Dr. Suat Seren Chest Disease and Thoracic Surgery Teaching and Research Hospital (ethical approval number: 19-28.09.2020). Written informed consent was obtained from all participants. This study was registered on clinicaltrials.gov under the number NCT04715919.