Pulmonary function after COVID-19 in early convalescence phase

Abstract

Pulmonary function after COVID-19 in early convalescence phase. The aim of the study is to investigate the influence of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on pulmonary function in early convalescence phase.Materials and methods. The study included 44 patients (35 male) after COVID-19 without concomitant bronchopulmonary pathology, with a median age of 47.5 years. All patients underwent standard pulmonary function tests (PFTs): spirometry, body plethysmography, diffusion test. Besides, dyspnea on the mMRC scale was assessed, oxygen saturation level (SpO2 ) was measured. Depending on degree of lung damage determined using high-resolution computed tomography (CT), the patients were divided into 2 groups: group 1 (22 patients) — CT 1 and CT 2, group 2 (22 patients) — CT 3 and CT 4.Results. The medians of standard PFTs parameters were in normal values. However, there were statistically significant differences between groups: VC, FVC, FEV1 and TLC were lower in second group. Diffusing capacity was reduced in 52% of patients. Statistical significant correlations were established between lung damage by CT and the parameters of VC, FVC, FEV1 , TLC, IC and DLCO.Conclusion. The degree of functional disorders of lungs depended on the extent of abnormal CT. Impaired diffusing capacity were detected in more than half of the COVID-19 patients in early convalescence phase.