Repercussões respiratórias e funcionais a curto e médio prazo de indivíduos hospitalizados por Covid-19

Abstract

Introduction: COVID-19 is an infectious disease with systemic manifestations that may lead to respiratory and functional sequelae. Thus, knowledge of these repercussions is crucial to develop preventive and rehabilitative strategies. Objective: To assess the respiratory and functional repercussions in the short- and medium-term of individuals after COVID-19 hospitalization. Methods: This observational, longitudinal, and multicenter study was performed with individuals after COVID-19 hospitalization. The following assessments were performed 15, 90, and 180 days after hospital discharge: lung function (spirometry), respiratory muscle strength (manovacuometry), dyspnea (modified Medical Research Council scale), functional capacity (six-minute step test [6MST]), peripheral muscle strength (handgrip test), physical performance and lower limb strength (30-second sit-to-stand test [30sSTS]), and physical activity level. Results: Sixty-five participants were assessed (54.8 ± 12.5 years, 54% men). The following results were observed 15, 90, and 180 days after hospitalization, respectively: forced vital capacity (FVC): 67.6 ± 25.4%, 76.7 ± 20.5%, and 70.1 ± 22.6% of predicted; maximum inspiratory pressure: 77.4 ± 49.8%, 76.5 ± 48.8%, and 84.0 ± 54.1% of predicted; dyspnea: 2.0 (0.0- 3.0), 1.0 (0.0 - 2.5), and 1.0 (0.0 - 3.0) points; 6MST: 70.7 ± 25.9%, 80.2 ± 29.8%, and 84.8 ± 31.3% of predicted; 30sSTS: 61.3 ± 23.8%, 65.6 ± 19.5%, and 71.7 ± 20.0% of predicted; handgrip strength: 101.3 ± 40.1%, 99.8 ± 35.5%, and 101.7 ± 31.2% of predicted; and physical activity level: 23.1%, 10.8%, and 23.1% were sedentary. FVC was associated with sex and presence of comorbidities (r2 = 32%), and the number of steps was associated with sex, BMI, and length of hospital stay. Conclusion: Hospitalized individuals due to COVID-19 had dyspnea and reduced FVC, inspiratory muscle strength, functional capacity, peripheral muscle strength, and physical activity level. We still observed dyspnea and low FVC, peripheral muscle strength, and physical activity level after 180 days of hospital discharge.