Investigations on the Respiratory Function in COVID-19 Patients: A Prospective Cohort Study

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary Medicine
• Infectious Diseases
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) poses a significant global health challenge.
• The long-term effects of COVID-19 on respiratory function, daily living, quality of life, and mental health remain under investigation.
• This study addresses the need to understand the post-acute sequelae of COVID-19.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the respiratory function in COVID-19 patients.
• To assess the impact of COVID-19 on activities of daily living, quality of life, and mental status.
• To identify the prevalence of respiratory dysfunction and psychological disorders across different COVID-19 severity classifications.

Main Methods:

• Data collected from 139 COVID-19 patients (March-May 2020) attending fever clinics.
• Assessed respiratory muscle function (maximal inspiratory pressure) and degree of dyspnea.
• Evaluated activities of daily living, quality of life, and mental status (anxiety, depression).

Main Results:

• Abnormal maximal inspiratory pressure observed in 10.0% to 25.2% of patients across severity levels.
• Abnormal dyspnea reported by 50% to 66.7% of patients.
• Patients generally exhibited a decline in quality of life and symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Conclusions:

• Respiratory dysfunction, reduced quality of life, and psychological disorders are prevalent in COVID-19 survivors.
• These issues are present across all clinical classifications of COVID-19 severity.
• Respiratory rehabilitation and psychological interventions are crucial for the recovery of COVID-19 patients.