1. One-year evolution of DLCO changes and respiratory symptoms in patients with post COVID-19 respiratory syndrome
- Author
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Alberto Fortini, Aurelio Rosso, Paolo Cecchini, Arianna Torrigiani, Aldo Lo Forte, Paolo Carrai, Chiara Alessi, Francesca Fabbrizzi, Elena Lovicu, Serena Sbaragli, and Antonio Faraone
- Subjects
Male ,Microbiology (medical) ,Brief Report ,COVID-19 ,Long-COVID ,General Medicine ,respiratory system ,Patient Discharge ,DLCO ,Hospitalization ,Infectious Diseases ,Spirometry ,Humans ,Respiratory symptoms ,Post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection ,Lung ,Aged - Abstract
Purpose During a follow-up program of patients admitted for COVID-19 at our non-ICU Unit, we found that 37% of them had decreased diffusing lung capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) 3–6 months after discharge. This prospective observational study aimed to evaluate the evolution of changes in DLCO and respiratory symptoms at the 1-year follow-up visit. Methods Seventeen (mean age 71 years; 8 males) of 19 eligible patients (DLCO 80% of predicted) in 6 (35%); in the other 6 (35%) it remained unchanged. The prevalence of exertional dyspnea (65–35%, P = 0.17), cough (24–18%, P = 1), and fatigue (76–35%, P = 0.04) decreased at the 1-year visit. Conclusion These results suggest that DLCO and respiratory symptoms tend to normalize or improve 1 year after hospitalization for COVID-19 in most patients. However, there is also a non-negligible number of patients (about one-third) in whom respiratory changes persist and will need prolonged follow-up.
- Published
- 2022
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