Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 13, 2025
Minimally Invasive Murine Laryngoscopy for Close-Up Imaging of Laryngeal Motion During Breathing and Swallowing
Published on: December 1, 2023
Lung Function, Voice, and Quality of Life in Post-COVID-19 Syndrome: A Follow-Up Study
Juliana Alves Souza1, Adriane Schmidt Pasqualoto2, Denis Altieri De Oliveira Moraes3
1Department of Speech Therapy and Human Communication Disorders, Voice Laboratory at Federal Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Santa Maria, Brazil.
Introduction:
COVID-19 sequelae may persist for years, particularly in individuals who experienced critical illness. This longitudinal study aimed to assess lung function, voice, and their correlation in post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS) patients after intensive care discharge and evaluate the impact on general and voice-related quality of life (V-RQoL).
Methods:
Among the 284 patients who survived hospitalization at the University Hospital, 48 met the inclusion and exclusion criteria and participated in the study. Evaluations were conducted at an average of 4 and 8 months post-discharge and included assessments of dyspnea (modified Medical Research Council [mMRC] scale), spirometry, inspiratory (MIP), and expiratory (MEP) muscle strength, the 6-minute walk test (6MWT), maximum phonation time (MPT), sound pressure level (SPL), overall degree of dysphonia, general quality of life (Short Form Health Survey [SF-36]), and V-RQoL.
Results:
There was a reduction in mMRC, and an increase in MIP, MEP, 6MWT, MPT, and usual and minimum SPL. Women still exhibited reduced MPT, and both sexes had persistent dysphonia. A negative correlation was found between mMRC and MPT, and a positive correlation was found between 6MWT and MPT. Some SF-36 domains and the physical score of the V-RQoL for women remained reduced.
Conclusions:
Eight months after COVID-19, there was an improvement in pulmonary function and MPT, but an increase in usual and minimum SPL and persistent dysphonia. These findings highlight the need for further research into persistent dysphonia as a significant aspect of PCS.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Larynx
Anatomy of the Larynx
The larynx consists of various components, including cartilage, muscles, and vocal cords. Its structure includes three large unpaired cartilages—the thyroid, cricoid, and epiglottis—and three smaller paired cartilages—the arytenoids,...
01:25Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-III: Symptoms and Complications.
Symptoms of COPD can be classified as primary or systemic. Primary symptoms relate to reduced airflow, while systemic or extrapulmonary symptoms relate to COPD's broader impact on the body.
Primary Symptoms of COPD:
01:27Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-IV: Assessement and Diagnostic Studies
Medical History
01:20COPD: Pathogenesis and Clinical Features
The primary cause for the onset of COPD is cigarette smoking and exposure to air pollution. These hazardous factors initiate a chain reaction within the lungs, resulting in chronic inflammation, damage to the airways, and a...
01:25Pulmonary Function Tests
Pulmonary Function Tests are crucial diagnostic tools for assessing respiratory function, particularly in patients with chronic respiratory disorders. They comprehensively evaluate lung volumes, ventilatory function, breathing mechanics, diffusion, and gas exchange. These tests help diagnose pulmonary diseases and play a significant role in monitoring disease progression, evaluating disability, and assessing response to therapy.
PFTs involve using a spirometer, a...
01:29Pneumonia II: Pathophysiology