Monitoring the Adverse Implications of Coronavirus 2019-induced Pulmonary Complications on Patients’ Respiratory Capacity and Physical Abilities with Moderate and Severe Signs during Interval Follow-up

Abstract

Background: The respiratory system of individuals with coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) experiences significant strain due to the body’s immunological response and inflammation, leading to organ failure. Over time, patients have improvement in symptoms such as radiological abnormalities, pulmonary function impairment, and decline in respiratory and physical abilities. This research aimed to assess the impact of COVID-19 on the pulmonary function and physiological performance capacity of patients with moderate and severe problems who were hospitalized and subsequently released. These parameters were evaluated during 3, 6, and 12-month follow-up periods. Methods: The participants in this research were individuals hospitalized with COVID-19 at Hajar Shahrekord Hospital. They evaluated using spirometry tests, a 6-min walk test (6MWT), and spiral lung high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scans. The assessments were conducted from their first diagnosis until 12 months after release. The sampling was performed employing the head-counting approach, and an expert examined the data collected from spirometry and 6MWT in statistics and epidemiology. Expert radiologists and pulmonologists examined spiral lung HRCT data. Results: The combined data from spirometry (revealing improved lung function), the 6MWT (showing increased endurance), and HRCT (indicating reduced lung damage) demonstrated marked progress in both groups throughout the study period. While each group demonstrated statistically significant improvements at various follow-up points, no significant difference emerged between the moderate and severe patient groups in the study. Significant improvements in lung function, physical capacity, and radiological outcomes were observed in both moderate and severe COVID-19 patients at the 12-month follow-up. Notably, there were no statistically significant differences in improvement between the groups. Conclusion: This study emphasizes the importance of personalized extended care and rehabilitation for patients severely affected by COVID-19, aiming to tackle ongoing deficits and prevent long-term complications.