Tuberc Respir Dis.  2024 Oct;87(4):532-542. 10.4046/trd.2024.0044.

Pulmonary Function, Functional Capacity, Respiratory, and Locomotor Muscle Strength after Severe to Critically Ill COVID-19: A Long-Term Study

• Ngamsutham T
• Chaiwong W
• Dacha S
• Sitilertpisan P
• Pothirat C
• Duangjit P
• Deesomchok A
• Liwsrisakun C
• Bumroongkit C
• Theerakittikul T
• Limsukon A
• Trongtrakul K
• Niyatiwatchanchai N
• Tajarernmuang P

• KMID: 2559337
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4046/trd.2024.0044

Abstract

Background
The sequelae of post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia on lung function, exercise capacity, and quality of life were observed in both shortterm and long-term. However, the study about the respiratory and locomotor muscle strength in severe and critically ill COVID-19 survivors are still limited. Therefore, we aimed to examine long-term pulmonary function, functional capacities, and respiratory and locomotor body muscle strength in severe to critically ill post-COVID-19 survivors.
Methods
A prospective observational study was conducted in 22 post-COVID-19 pneumonia and healthy adults. Clinical characteristics during admission, pulmonary function, functional capacity, respiratory muscles, and locomotor muscles strength were examined at 1, 3, and 6 months after discharge from the hospital.
Results
The generalized linear mixed model showed that percent predicted of forced expiratory volume in the 1 second (%FEV₁), percent predicted of forced vital capacity (%FVC), maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), handgrip strength, 6-minute walk distance, and five times sit to stand (5TSTS) were significantly lower in post-COVID-19 pneumonia patients than in healthy subjects during the follow-up period. The percent predicted of maximal voluntary ventilation (%MVV), and locomotor muscle strength were not different between the two groups throughout the follow-up period. Among post-COVID-19 pneumonia patients, %FEV₁, %FVC, %MVV, 5TSTS, locomotor muscle strength significantly improved at three months compared to baseline at 1 month.
Conclusion
Pulmonary function, functional capacity, respiratory, and locomotor muscle strength of survivors from COVID-19 were impaired and recovery was observed after three to six months. These emphasized the need to evaluate the long-term consequences of COVID-19.

Keyword

COVID-19; Pulmonary Function; Functional Capacity; Muscle Strength