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Prospective analysis of post-COVID-19 hospitalization: Impact on pulmonary function, physical performance and overall
Danielle Brancolini de Oliveira1, Gabriela Sayuri Ochiai1, Elizabeth Mendes da Silva1
1Department of Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Clinics (Sao Paulo, Brazil)
|April 19, 2026
Summary
Long COVID can cause lasting lung issues. Many hospitalized patients with Restrictive Lung Disease (RD) still face physical and functional impairments a year later, needing targeted rehabilitation.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- COVID-19 hospitalization can result in persistent long-term health effects.
- This study investigates the progression of physical performance and functionality in patients with Normal lung Patterns (NP) versus Restrictive Lung Disease (RD) after COVID-19.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the recovery trajectories of physical performance and functionality in post-COVID-19 patients with and without Restrictive Lung Disease (RD).
- To assess the prevalence and persistence of Restrictive Lung Disease (RD) and associated functional impairments one year after hospital discharge.
Main Methods:
- Prospective cohort study design.
- Evaluation of 185 individuals at 1 and 12 months post-discharge, including lung function, physical performance, and functionality assessments.
- Comparison between patients with Normal lung Patterns (NP) and Restrictive Lung Disease (RD).
Main Results:
- At 12 months, 32% of participants still had Restrictive Lung Disease (RD).
- A significant portion of patients with RD (15%) experienced persistent functional impairments one year post-discharge.
- Both groups showed improvement in Sit-to-Stand repetitions, but RD patients had decreased physical performance at 1 month, with limited improvement by 12 months.
Conclusions:
- Nearly half (43%) of patients with Restrictive Lung Disease (RD) after COVID-19 still exhibited pulmonary alterations at one year.
- Persistent functional limitations were observed in 15% of RD patients one year after discharge.
- Long-term follow-up and specialized rehabilitation focusing on pulmonary function, physical performance, and functionality are crucial for post-COVID-19 recovery.
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