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Updated: Oct 16, 2025
Three-Dimensional Phase Resolved Functional Lung Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Published on: June 21, 2024
Long-term changes in pulmonary function among patients surviving to COVID-19 pneumonia
Alessia Fumagalli1, Clementina Misuraca1, Achille Bianchi1
1Respiratory Unit, IRCCS INRCA (Italian National Research Centre On Aging), 23880, Casatenovo, LC, Italy.
Purpose:
The aim of this study was to assess respiratory function at the time of clinical recovery, 6 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months after discharge in patients surviving to COVID-19 pneumonia.
Methods:
Our case series consisted of 13 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 pneumonia.
Results:
Baseline pulmonary function tests were 55.7 ± 15.6 for FEV1%, 68.6 ± 16.0 for FVC%, and 1.2 ± 0.1 for FEV1/FVC%. Although pulmonary function showed a small improvement after 6 weeks, patients experienced a more significant improvement after 6 and 12 months in FEV1% (95.4 ± 13.7 and 107.2 ± 16.5, respectively; p < 0.001), FVC% (91.3 ± 14.5, and 105.9 ± 15.6, respectively; p < 0.001), and FEV1/FVC% values (1.04 ± 0.04, and 1.01 ± 0.05, respectively; p < 0.001).
Conclusion:
COVID-19 pneumonia may result in significant alterations in lung function, with a mainly restrictive pattern, partly persisting at 6 weeks after recovery from acute phase, but significantly improving during a 12-month follow-up period.
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