Dynamic changes of pulmonary diffusion capacity in survivors of non-critical COVID-19 during the first six months
Mu Chen, Jingwei Liu, Ping Peng, Wenhua Jian, Yi Gao, Liman Fang, Yanhui Yu, Shuxin Zhong, Hui Peng, Xilong Deng, Yuqi Zhou, Sheng Du, Ruchong Chen, Xiaoneng Mo, Nanshan Zhong, Shiyue Li
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The dynamic trends of pulmonary function in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) survivors since discharge have been rarely described. We aimed to describe the changes of lung function and identify risk factors for impaired diffusion capacity. METHODS: Non-critical COVID-19 patients admitted to the Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital, China, were enrolled from March to June 2020. Subjects were prospectively followed up with pulmonary function tests at discharge, three and six months after discharge. FINDINGS: % pred recovered slower than males. INTERPRETATION: The first three months is the critical recovery period for diffusion capacity. The impaired diffusion capacity was more severe and recovered slower in females than in males. Early pulmonary rehabilitation and individualized interventions for recovery are worthy of further investigations.