The long-term impact of COVID-19 pneumonia on the pulmonary function of survivors
AM Salem, N Al Khathlan, AF Alharbi… - … journal of general …, 2021 - Taylor & Francis
International journal of general medicine, 2021•Taylor & Francis
Background The sequelae of COVID-19 pneumonia on pulmonary function and airways
inflammation are still an area of active research. Objective This research aimed to explore
the long-term impact of COVID-19 pneumonia on the lung function after three months from
recovery. Methods Fifty subjects (age 18–60 years) were recruited and classified into two
groups: the control group (30 subjects) and the post-COVID-19 pneumonia group (20
patients). Pulmonary function tests, spirometry, body plethysmography [lung volumes and …
inflammation are still an area of active research. Objective This research aimed to explore
the long-term impact of COVID-19 pneumonia on the lung function after three months from
recovery. Methods Fifty subjects (age 18–60 years) were recruited and classified into two
groups: the control group (30 subjects) and the post-COVID-19 pneumonia group (20
patients). Pulmonary function tests, spirometry, body plethysmography [lung volumes and …
Background
The sequelae of COVID-19 pneumonia on pulmonary function and airways inflammation are still an area of active research.
Objective
This research aimed to explore the long-term impact of COVID-19 pneumonia on the lung function after three months from recovery.
Methods
Fifty subjects (age 18–60 years) were recruited and classified into two groups: the control group (30 subjects) and the post-COVID-19 pneumonia group (20 patients). Pulmonary function tests, spirometry, body plethysmography [lung volumes and airway resistance (Raw)], diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO), and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), were measured after at least 3 months post-recovery.
Results
Significant reduction in total lung capacity (TLC), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume (FEV1), FEV1/FEV, and diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) was observed in post-COVID-19 subjects compared to controls. Restrictive lung impairment was observed in 50% of post-COVID-19 cases (n = 10) compared to 20% in the control group (n = 6, P = 0.026). In addition, mild diffusion defect was detected in 35% (n = 7) of the post-COVID-19 group compared to 23.3% (n = 7) in the controls (P = 0.012).
Conclusion
COVID-19 pneumonia has an impact on the lung functions in terms of restrictive lung impairment and mild diffusion defect after three months from recovery. Therefore, a long-term follow-up of the lung function in post-COVID-19 survivors is recommended.
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