In:
Infection, Springer Science and Business Media LLC, Vol. 50, No. 5 ( 2022-10), p. 1391-1397
Abstract:
Symptoms often persistent for more than 4 weeks after COVID-19—now commonly referred to as ‘Long COVID’. Independent of initial disease severity or pathological pulmonary functions tests, fatigue, exertional intolerance and dyspnea are among the most common COVID-19 sequelae. We hypothesized that respiratory muscle dysfunction might be prevalent in persistently symptomatic patients after COVID-19 with self-reported exercise intolerance. Methods In a small cross-sectional pilot study ( n = 67) of mild-to-moderate (nonhospitalized) and moderate-to-critical convalescent (formerly hospitalized) patients presenting to our outpatient clinic approx. 5 months after acute infection, we measured neuroventilatory activity P 0.1 , inspiratory muscle strength ( P I max ) and total respiratory muscle strain ( P 0.1 / P I max ) in addition to standard pulmonary functions tests, capillary blood gas analysis, 6 min walking tests and functional questionnaires. Results Pathological P 0.1 / P I max was found in 88% of symptomatic patients. Mean P I max was reduced in hospitalized patients, but reduced P I max was also found in 65% of nonhospitalized patients. Mean P 0.1 was pathologically increased in both groups. Increased P 0.1 was associated with exercise-induced deoxygenation, impaired exercise tolerance, decreased activity and productivity and worse Post-COVID-19 functional status scale. Pathological changes in P 0.1 , P I max or P 0.1 / P I max were not associated with pre-existing conditions. Conclusions Our findings point towards respiratory muscle dysfunction as a novel aspect of COVID-19 sequelae. Thus, we strongly advocate for systematic respiratory muscle testing during the diagnostic workup of persistently symptomatic, convalescent COVID-19 patients.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0300-8126
,
1439-0973
DOI:
10.1007/s15010-022-01840-9
Language:
English
Publisher:
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Publication Date:
2022
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2006315-5
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