Persistence of symptoms and lung function in mild cases of COVID-19 six months after infection: a cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT Objectives: To describe persistent symptoms and lung function in mild cases of COVID-19 six months after infection. Methods: Data collection was performed through a semi-structured questionnaire containing information on the participants’ demographic and anthropometric data, the disease i...

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Main Authors: Barbara Galdino de Sousa, Ítalo Caldas Silva, Rayana Fialho da Costa, Ellys Rhaiara Nunes Rebouças, Taynara Rodrigues Ramos, Jardel Gonçalves de Sousa Almondes, Eanes Delgado Barros Pereira, Nataly Gurgel Campos
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Pneumologia e Tisiologia 2024-02-01
Series:Jornal Brasileiro de Pneumologia
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Online Access:http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1806-37132024000100603&tlng=en
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Summary:ABSTRACT Objectives: To describe persistent symptoms and lung function in mild cases of COVID-19 six months after infection. Methods: Data collection was performed through a semi-structured questionnaire containing information on the participants’ demographic and anthropometric data, the disease in the acute phase, and persistent symptoms six months after COVID-19 using spirometry and manovacuometry. Results: A total of 136 participants were evaluated, of whom 64% were male, with a mean age of 38.17 ± 14.08 years and a body mass index (BMI) of 29.71 ± 17.48 kg/m2. The main persistent symptoms reported were dyspnea on exertion (39.7%), memory loss (38.2%), and anxiety (48.5%). Considering lung function, the participants reached 88.87 ± 17.20% of the predicted forced vital capacity (FVC), 86.03 ± 22.01% of the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and 62.71 ± 25.04% of peak expiratory flow (PEF). Upon manovacuometry, 97.41 ± 34.67% of the predicted inspiratory force (Pimax) and 66.86 ± 22.97% of the predicted expiratory force (Pemax) were observed. Conclusions: Six months after COVID-19 infection, a reduction in PEF and MEP was observed. Among the most commonly reported persistent symptoms were fatigue, tiredness with the slightest exertion, anxiety and depression, memory loss, and deficits in concentration.
ISSN:1806-3756