Post-discharge spirometry evaluation in patients recovering from moderate-to-critical COVID-19: a cross-sectional study

• Published in: Scientific reports Vol. 14; no. 1; pp. 16413 - 13
• Main Authors: Chai, Chee-Shee, Bin Ibrahim, Muhammad Amin, Binti Azhar, Nur Amira, Binti Roslan, Zulaika, Binti Harun, Rozila, Krishnabahawan, Swarna Lata, Karthigayan, Aruna A. P., Binti Abdul Kadir, Roqiah Fatmawati, Binti Johari, Busra, Ng, Diana-Leh-Ching, Sim, Benedict-Lim-Heng, Liam, Chong-Kin, Bin Muttalif, Abdul Razak, Bin Rasit, Ahmad Hata, Peariasamy, Kalaiarasu M., Bin Abdul Rani, Mohammed Fauzi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 16.07.2024; Nature Publishing Group; Nature Portfolio
• Subjects: 692/499; 692/699; Adult; Aged; Cardiovascular diseases; Chest; COVID-19; COVID-19 - diagnosis; COVID-19 - epidemiology; COVID-19 - physiopathology; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humanities and Social Sciences; Humans; Lung - diagnostic imaging; Lung - physiopathology; Malaysia - epidemiology; Male; Middle Aged; multidisciplinary; Obstructive; Opacity; Patient Discharge; Prevalence; PRISm; Radio-imaging; Respiratory function; Restrictive; Risk groups; SARS-CoV-2 - isolation & purification; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); Spirometry; Spirometry - methods; Malaysia; COVID-19; Spirometry; Restrictive; PRISm; Radio-imaging; Obstructive
• ISSN: 2045-2322; 2045-2322
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-67536-2

Understanding the prevalence of abnormal lung function and its associated factors among patients recovering from COVID-19 is crucial for enhancing post-COVID care strategies. This study primarily aimed to determine the prevalence and types of spirometry abnormalities among post-COVID-19 patients in Malaysia, with a secondary objective of identifying its associated factors. Conducted at the COVID-19 Research Clinic, Faculty of Medicine, University Technology MARA, from March 2021 to December 2022, this study included patients at least three months post-discharge from hospitals following moderate-to-critical COVID-19. Of 408 patients studied, abnormal spirometry was found in 46.8%, with 28.4% exhibiting a restrictive pattern, 17.4% showing preserved ratio impaired spirometry (PRISm), and 1.0% displaying an obstructive pattern. Factors independently associated with abnormal spirometry included consolidation on chest X-ray (OR 8.1, 95% CI 1.75–37.42, p  = 0.008), underlying cardiovascular disease (OR 3.5, 95% CI 1.19–10.47, p  = 0.023), ground-glass opacity on chest X-ray (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.52–4.30, p  < 0.001), and oxygen desaturation during the 6-min walk test (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.20–3.06, p  = 0.007). This study highlights that patients recovering from moderate-to-critical COVID-19 often exhibit abnormal spirometry, notably a restrictive pattern and PRISm. Routine spirometry screening for high-risk patients is recommended.