1. Small Airways Dysfunction and Lung Hyperinflation in Long COVID-19 Patients as Potential Mechanisms of Persistent Dyspnoea.
- Author
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Vontetsianos A, Chynkiamis N, Anagnostopoulou C, Lekka C, Zaneli S, Anagnostopoulos N, Rovina N, Kampolis CF, Papaioannou AI, Kaltsakas G, Vogiatzis I, Stratakos G, Bakakos P, and Koulouris N
- Subjects
- Humans, Middle Aged, Male, Female, Lung physiopathology, Lung diagnostic imaging, SARS-CoV-2, Adult, Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome, Aged, COVID-19 physiopathology, COVID-19 complications, Dyspnea physiopathology, Dyspnea etiology, Respiratory Function Tests
- Abstract
Background: Reticulation, ground glass opacities and post-infection bronchiectasis are present three months following hospitalisation in patients recovering from SARS-CoV-2 infection and are associated with the severity of acute infection. However, scarce data exist on small airways impairment and lung hyperinflation in patients with long COVID-19., Aim: To evaluate small airways function and lung hyperinflation in previously hospitalised patients with long COVID-19 and their association with post-COVID-19 breathlessness., Methods: In total, 33 patients (mean ± SD, 53 ± 11 years) with long COVID-19 were recruited 149 ± 90 days following hospital discharge. Pulmonary function tests were performed and lung hyperinflation was defined as RV/TLC ≥ 40%. Small airways function was evaluated by measuring the closing volume (CV) and closing capacity (CC) using the single-breath nitrogen washout technique (SBN
2 W)., Results: CC was 115 ± 28% pred. and open capacity (OC) was 90 ± 19. CC was abnormal in 13 patients (39%), CV in 2 patients (6.1%) and OC in 9 patients (27%). Lung hyperinflation was present in 15 patients, whilst the mean mMRC score was 2.2 ± 1.0. Lung hyperinflation was associated with CC (r = 0.772, p = 0.001), OC (r = 0.895, p = 0.001) and mMRC (r = 0.444, p = 0.010)., Conclusions: Long COVID-19 patients present with small airways dysfunction and lung hyperinflation, which is associated with persistent dyspnoea, following hospitalisation.- Published
- 2024
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