Pulmonary function and COVID-19

Abstract

In people recovering from COVID-19, there is concern regarding potential long-term pulmonary sequelae and associated impairment of functional capacity. Data published thus far indicate that spirometric indices appear to be generally well preserved, but that a defect in diffusing capacity (DLco) is a prevalent abnormality identified on follow-up lung function; present in 20-30% of those with mild to moderate disease and 60% in those with severe disease. Reductions in total lung capacity were commonly reported. Functional capacity is also often impaired, with data now starting to emerge detailing walk test and cardiopulmonary exercise test outcome at follow-up. In this review, we evaluate the published evidence in this area, to summarise the impact of COVID-19 infection on pulmonary function and relate this to the clinico-radiological findings and disease severity.

Respiratory Outcomes in Patients Following COVID-19-Related Hospitalization: A Meta-Analysis

“…Worl, 2020), but concern remains that some organs, including the lungs, might suffer long-term impairment following recovery from acute infections. Individual studies have shown that residual abnormalities of pulmonary function were observed in a subgroup of recovered COVID-19 patients, with the most common finding being a reduction in gas transfer as measured by diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO) (Hull et al, 2020;Dhawan et al, 2021;Thomas et al, 2021). In this study, with meta-analysis, we aimed to determine the short (0-3 months), medium (3-6 months) and long (>6 months) respiratory outcomes in patients following COVID-19related hospitalisation.…”

Pediatric Pulmonary Function Testing in COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond. A Position Statement From the Hellenic Pediatric Respiratory Society

“…More stringent mitigation measures may again be required in the future to control the spread of the disease (9) and such measures will undoubtedly affect the operation of pulmonary function laboratories. Moreover, lung function anomalies and psychological sequelae are not uncommon in individuals recovering from COVID-19 (10,11) which implies that a constantly increasing number of patients will require close lung function monitoring during the pandemic (12). Therefore, guidelines on pulmonary function testing that include specific action plans and may dynamically adapt to sudden epidemiologic changes, are required.…”

Efficacy and Safety of ELOM-080 as Add-On Therapy in COVID-19 Patients with Acute Respiratory Insufficiency: Exploratory Data from the Prospective Placebo-Controlled COVARI Trial

“…Readily available treatment options for outpatients become more and more important because the spread of highly transmissible variants will likely result in large numbers of patients being quarantined at home with on average younger age and a comparatively mild-to-moderate disease course. This population is not commonly expected to experience severe inflammatory conditions but effective early treatment could reduce and/or prevent morbidity, and future studies should assess whether treatment with ELOM-080 could contribute to preventing the development of long COVID symptoms [ 19 ].…”