Positive Effects of Pulmonary Rehabilitation Among Patients with Obstructive Ventilatory Dysfunction Post COVID-19

• Published in: Current health sciences journal Vol. 48; no. 4; pp. 426 - 435
• Main Authors: Brînduș, Gabriela-Marina, Marcu, Eugenia-Andreea, Olteanu, Mihai, Trăistaru, Magdalena Rodica
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Romania Medical University Publishing House Craiova 01.10.2022
• Subjects: Original Paper; asthma; post COVID-19; Pulmonary rehabilitation; COPD
• ISSN: 2067-0656; 2069-4032
• DOI: 10.12865/CHSJ.48.04.10

SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2) infection appeared for the first time in Wuhan, China in December 2019, and in March 2020 it was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). Thus, a new disease was registered-COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019). Our study followed the patients who had the diagnosis of obstructive ventilatory dysfunction in their personal pathological antecedents, who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection. The patients were in the hospital records with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma. After discharge, patients had a number of outstanding symptoms: fatigue, cough, dyspnea, mental and cognitive disorders, palpitations, headaches, dysfunctions of taste and smell. All patients underwent pulmonary rehabilitation after hospitalization. In this study, we looked at the benefits of respiratory rehabilitation over a period of six months after SARS-CoV-2 infection. The medical rehabilitation program included physical training, muscle training, nutritional support, psychological support and patient education. A retrospective study was defined between April 2021-December 2021, including 72 patients who had SARS-CoV-2 infection and who presented various symptoms on discharge. The study was carried out at the Clinical Hospital of Infectious Disease and Pneumoftiziology "Victor Babeș" from Craiova-Pulmonology Department. These patients had a history of obstructive ventilatory dysfunction: asthma or COPD. Patients were monitored during the respiratory rehabilitation program at 3 and 6 months after discharge. An improvement in clinical and functional parameters was obtained as a result of the pulmonary rehabilitation. Patients with COPD are increase risk to develop severe forms of COVID-19. Smoking is an important risk factor for SARS-CoV-2 infection and obstructive ventilatory dysfunction. Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 infection is effective, being associated with mild forms of COVID-19. Pulmonary rehabilitation is a key point in the management of patients with COVID-19, improving exercise capacity, reducing dyspnea, improving health, increasing oxygen saturation and quality of life.