Pulmonary function in patients surviving to COVID-19 pneumonia

Purpose The aim of our study was to assess respiratory function at the time of clinical recovery and 6 weeks after discharge in patients surviving to COVID-19 pneumonia. Methods Our case series consisted of 13 patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. Results At the time of clinical recovery, FEV1 (2.07 +/- 0.72 L) and FVC (2.25 +/- 0.86 L) were lower compared to lower limit of normality (LLN) values (2.56 +/- 0.53 L,p= 0.004, and 3.31 +/- 0.65 L,p< 0.001, respectively), while FEV1/FVC (0.94 +/- 0.07) was higher compared to upper limit of normality (ULN) values (0.89 +/- 0.01,p= 0.029). After 6 weeks pulmonary function improved but FVC was still lower than ULN (2.87 +/- 0.81,p= 0.014). Conclusion These findings suggest that COVID-19 pneumonia may result in clinically relevant alterations in pulmonary function tests, with a mainly restrictive pattern.

Automated summary

This study aimed to assess respiratory function in patients surviving COVID-19 pneumonia. The findings suggest that patients may experience clinically relevant alterations in pulmonary function, characterized by a mainly restrictive pattern, even 6 weeks after discharge.