In:
Frontiers in Medicine, Frontiers Media SA, Vol. 8 ( 2021-12-24)
Abstract:
Objectives: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global pandemic affecting individuals to varying degrees. There is emerging evidence that even patients with mild symptoms will suffer from prolonged physical impairment. Methods: In this prospective observational study, lung function, and cardiopulmonary exercise testing have been performed in 100 patients for 3–6 months after COVID-19 diagnosis (post-CoVG). Depending on the severity of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, patients were divided into asymptomatic, or mild to moderate (mild post-CoVG), and severe post-CoVG [hospitalization with or without intensive care unit/non-invasive ventilation (ICU/NIV)]. Results have been compared with age, sex, and body mass index (BMI) matched control group (CG, N = 50). Results: Both lung function (resting) and exercise capacity (peak workload, Wpeak and peak oxygen uptake, VO 2 peak - % predicted) were considerably affected in patients with severe post-CoV (81.7 ± 27.6 and 86.1 ± 20.6%), compared to the mild post-CoVG (104.8 ± 24.0%, p = 0.001 and 100.4 ± 24.8; p = 0.003). In addition, also the submaximal exercise performance was significantly reduced in the severe post-CoVG (predicted VT1/VO 2 peak; p = 0.013 and VT2/VO 2 peak; p = 0.001). Multiple linear regression analyses revealed that 74 % (adjusted R 2 ) of the variance in relative VO 2 peak of patients who had CoV could be explained by the following variables: lower age, male sex, lower BMI, higher DLCO, higher predicted heart rate (HR) peak, lower breathing reserve (BR), and lower SaO 2 peak, which were related to higher relative VO 2 peak values. Higher NT-proBNP and lower creatinine kinase (CK) values were seen in severe cases compared to patients who experienced mild CoV. Discussion: Maximal and submaximal exercise performance in patients recovering from severe COVID-19 remain negatively affected for 3–6 months after COVID-19 diagnosis. The presented findings reveal that impaired pulmonary, cardiac, and skeletal muscle function contributed to the limitation of VO 2 peak in those patients, which may have important implications on rehabilitation programs.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
2296-858X
DOI:
10.3389/fmed.2021.773788
Language:
Unknown
Publisher:
Frontiers Media SA
Publication Date:
2021
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2775999-4
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