Clinical standards for diagnosis, treatment and prevention of post-COVID-19 lung disease

• Published in: The international journal of tuberculosis and lung disease Vol. 27; no. 10; pp. 729 - 741
• Main Authors: Visca, D., Centis, R., Pontali, E., Zampogna, E., Russell, A.-M., Migliori, G. B., Andrejak, C., Aro, M., Bayram, H., Berkani, K., Bruchfeld, J., Chakaya, J. M., Chorostowska-Wynimko, J., Crestani, B., Dalcolmo, M. P., D’Ambrosio, L., Dinh-Xuan, A-T., Duong-Quy, S., Fernandes, C., García-García, J.-M., de Melo Kawassaki, A, Carrozzi, L., Martinez-Garcia, M. A., Martins, P. Carreiro, Mirsaeidi, M., Mohammad, Y., Naidoo, R. N., Neuparth, N., Sese, L., Silva, D. R., Solovic, I., Sooronbaev, T. M., Spanevello, A., Sverzellati, N., Tanno, L., Tiberi, S., Vasankari, T., Vasarmidi, E., Vitacca, M., Annesi-Maesano, I.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Paris International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease 01.10.2023; International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (IUATLD)
• Subjects: Best practice; Clinical Standard; Complications; COVID-19; Diagnosis; Disease prevention; Effectiveness; Health services; Human health and pathology; Life Sciences; Long Covid; Lung diseases; Medicin och hälsovetenskap; Patients; Post-Covid Conditions; Prevention; Public health; Pulmonary Rehabilitation; Quality Of Life; Respiratory function; SARS-COV-2; Signs and symptoms
• ISSN: 1027-3719; 1815-7920; 1815-7920
• DOI: 10.5588/ijtld.23.0248

BACKGROUND: The aim of these clinical standards is to provide guidance on ‘best practice’ care for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of post-COVID-19 lung disease.METHODS: A panel of international experts representing scientific societies, associations and groups active in post-COVID-19 lung disease was identified; 45 completed a Delphi process. A 5-point Likert scale indicated level of agreement with the draft standards. The final version was approved by consensus (with 100% agreement).RESULTS: Four clinical standards were agreed for patients with a previous history of COVID-19: Standard 1, Patients with sequelae not explained by an alternative diagnosis should be evaluated for possible post-COVID-19 lung disease; Standard 2, Patients with lung function impairment, reduced exercise tolerance, reduced quality of life (QoL) or other relevant signs or ongoing symptoms ≥4 weeks after the onset of first symptoms should be evaluated for treatment and pulmonary rehabilitation (PR); Standard 3, The PR programme should be based on feasibility, effectiveness and cost-effectiveness criteria, organised according to local health services and tailored to an individual patient’s needs; and Standard 4, Each patient undergoing and completing PR should be evaluated to determine its effectiveness and have access to a counselling/health education session.CONCLUSION: This is the first consensus-based set of clinical standards for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of post-COVID-19 lung disease. Our aim is to improve patient care and QoL by guiding clinicians, programme managers and public health officers in planning and implementing a PR programme to manage post-COVID-19 lung disease.