Delayed lung function testing after COVID-19 to detect persistent lung function abnormalities - The DELTA - COVID-19...

Area of Science:

• Pulmonology
• Infectious Diseases
• Critical Care Medicine

Background:

• Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused significant global morbidity and mortality.
• Long-term consequences of COVID-19 extend beyond acute respiratory failure, impacting lung function in a subset of patients.
• Previous studies report varying incidences of persistent lung function abnormalities post-COVID-19.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the occurrence of persistent lung function abnormalities in hospitalized COVID-19 patients three months post-discharge.
• To analyze the severity, pattern, and risk factors associated with these persistent abnormalities.
• To investigate patients with previously normal lung function before COVID-19.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective study of hospitalized COVID-19 patients with pneumonia and prior normal lung function.
• Lung function assessment using spirometry, 6-minute walk test, and diffusion capacity between 85-95 days post-discharge.
• Univariate regression analysis to identify risk factors for persistent functional impairment.

Main Results:

• 64% (26/39) of patients exhibited restrictive ventilatory defects; 43% (27/39) had diffusion impairment.
• Mild diffusion impairment was noted in 16 patients, moderate in 11.
• Risk factors for impairment included advanced age, hypertension, severe hypoxia, and extent of lung involvement on CT.

Conclusions:

• Nearly two-thirds of hospitalized COVID-19 pneumonia patients experience persistent lung function abnormalities at three months.
• Advanced age, disease severity, and comorbidities are associated with increased risk.
• These findings highlight the need for long-term respiratory monitoring post-COVID-19.