Lung and physical function in post COVID-19 and clinical and functional associations: a cross-sectional study in Brazil

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:The purpose of this study was to assess exercise capacity, lung and physical function in COVID-19 survivors, and the association of lesion-level characteristics assessed by chest computed tomography, probable sarcopenia, and percentage of diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide with clinical and functional variables. METHODS: This study was conducted in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. All patients had a laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. The sociodemographic characteristics, COVID-19 exposure history, pulmonary function, computed tomography, and functionality of the participants between 1 and 3 months of diagnosis of the disease were collected. RESULTS: A total of 135 patients after COVID-19 recovery were included in this study. Probable sarcopenia, reduction in percentage of diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide, and a lower 6-min walk distance were observed after COVID-19 infection. Computed tomography>50% was associated with a longer length of stay and a lower percentage of diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide. Probable sarcopenia diagnosis was associated with a worse percentage of the predicted 6-min walk distance in relation to the predicted, absolute 6-min walk distance (m), percentage of diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide, and percentage of total lung capacity. CONCLUSION: Muscle disability and lung dysfunction are common in COVID-19 survivors. Hospitalization was associated with the worst muscle force and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide. Computed tomography characteristics could be a marker of prolonged hospital stay after the acute phase of COVID-19. Additionally, the probable diagnosis of sarcopenia could be a marker of impact on walking distance. These results highlight the need for long-term follow-up of those patients and rehabilitation programs.

Evaluating performance on the Glittre-ADL test in men with long COVID 3 years after a SARS-CoV-2 infection

“…These authors also noted that hospitalization was associated with worse muscle strength and reduced DLCO. It is worth noting that, unlike our study, the studies by Clavario et al 37 and Nascimento et al 38 were performed at a very early stage of long COVID, which reinforces the importance of continuing to monitor muscle function in the long term.…”

“…Based on the finding that muscle strength was independently associated with performance during the exercise, the authors concluded that muscle impairment may be responsible for most of the functional decrease. The relationship between reduced muscle strength and poor exercise performance was also noted by Nascimento et al 38 , in which a probable diagnosis of sarcopenia was associated with worse functional capacity on exertion according to the 6-min walking distance. These authors also noted that hospitalization was associated with worse muscle strength and reduced DLCO.…”

Lung and physical function in post COVID-19

“…We would like to share our ideas on the article entitled “Lung and physical function in post COVID-19 and clinical and functional associations: a cross-sectional study in Brazil 1 ”. Nascimento et al 1 investigated the relationship between lesion-level characteristics assessed by chest computed tomography, probable sarcopenia, and the percentage of diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide with clinical and functional variables in COVID-19 survivors 1 . Muscle impairment and lung dysfunction are widespread in COVID-19 survivors, according to Nascimento et al 1 and hospitalization was related to the worst muscle force and carbon monoxide diffusing capacity of the lung 1 .…”

“…Nascimento et al 1 investigated the relationship between lesion-level characteristics assessed by chest computed tomography, probable sarcopenia, and the percentage of diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide with clinical and functional variables in COVID-19 survivors 1 . Muscle impairment and lung dysfunction are widespread in COVID-19 survivors, according to Nascimento et al 1 and hospitalization was related to the worst muscle force and carbon monoxide diffusing capacity of the lung 1 . According to Nascimento et al 1 the findings underscore the need for long-term follow-up of such patients as well as rehabilitation programs 1 .…”

“…Muscle impairment and lung dysfunction are widespread in COVID-19 survivors, according to Nascimento et al 1 and hospitalization was related to the worst muscle force and carbon monoxide diffusing capacity of the lung 1 . According to Nascimento et al 1 the findings underscore the need for long-term follow-up of such patients as well as rehabilitation programs 1 .…”