Online ISSN: 2515-8260

Evaluation of pulmonary function in post-COVID-19 patients and its relationship to the illness's severity: A prospective study

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1 Sindhoora Rawul, 2 Sailaja Reddy Thikkavarapu, 3 Punnam Pradeep Kumar, 4 Shahzad Hussain Arastu

Abstract

Introduction: More than 15.9 million people in 200 countries have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic brought on by the extremely contagious SARS-CoV-2 virus. The highly contagious coronavirus spreads through droplets made by talking, sneezing, coughing, and even breathing. Another potential source of contamination is indirect contact with contaminated surfaces. PFT is a useful method for evaluating respiratory diseases. The most frequently used test is spirometry, which is the primary diagnostic method for airway illnesses such asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Measurements of lung volumes, diffusing capacity, and exercise physiology tests balance out the other examinations. The purpose of this study was to examine how the lungs functioned following COVID infection. Method: This one-year prospective study was conducted at a tertiary hospital which included 50 subjects. The subjects were assessed for 100-M walk test, FEV1, FVC and FEV1/FVC ratio post covid infection. The data was noted and analysed for association with severity. Results: The study had predominantly males and the overall mean age was 52.68± 7.7 years. The severity was noted ranging from ground glass appearance, paving’s, consolidations and opacities. The PFT parameters at the end of COVID infection were certainly reduced based on the severity. Conclusion: We could conclude increased severity led to significant PFT changes hampering a person directly and vice-versa. Larger population- based studies are required to justify the study findings.

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