The use of simple pulmonary function tests in the post-COVID-19 pulmonary improvement prediction: lessons from a single-center study
Abstract
Introduction
Despite the evolving knowledge about COVID-19 convalescents, there is still not enough data to validate simple methods of identifying the non-improvers. Our objective: to look for bad prognostic factors in long-COVID.
Methods
We conducted a prospective observational study among previously hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Individual characteristics were gathered and pulmonary function tests - spirometry and lung transfer for carbon monoxide (TL,CO) – were performed twice, approximately one and three months after hospitalization from COVID-19. Control radiological examinations were repeated and compared at the time of the study.
Results
After dividing the study group (30 patients) according to improvement in forced vital capacity (FVC) and/or TL,CO we observed that the forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) acquired from spirometry accurately indicates clinical improvement with the area under the curve (AUC) of 0.892 (95% CI 0.73 – 1). Notable differences were found in estimated total lung capacity (eTLC) and radiological score as well.
Conclusions
Our findings suggest that simple spirometry with FEV1 assessment performed in the post-COVID period helps select individuals with impaired recovery that should presumably be referred to a respiratory specialist and pulmonary rehabilitation.
© 2024 Krystian T. Bartczak, Joanna Milkowska-Dymanowska, Wojciech J. Piotrowski, Adam J. Bialas, published by Romanian Society of Pneumology
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