Pneumologie 2024; 78(S 01): S35
DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1778806
Abstracts
Infektiologie- und Tuberkulose

Persistence of Diffusion Capacity Impairments and its Relationship with Dyspnea 12 Months After Hospitalization for COVID-19

A Kang
1   Klinik für Pneumologie und Internistische Intensivmedizin, RWTH Universitätsklinikum Aachen; Pneumologie
,
B Regmi
2   Klinik für Pneumologie und Internistische Intensivmedizin, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Deutschland; Klinik für Pneumologie und Internistische Intensivmedizin, RWTH Universitätsklinikum Aachen
,
C Cornelissen
3   Medizinische Klinik V – Pneumologie und Internistische Intensivmedizin; Department of Biohybrid & Medical Textiles (Biotex), Ame – Institute of Applied Medical Engineering, Helmholtz Institute; RWTH Aachen University
,
J Smith
4   Klinik für Pneumologie und Internistische Intensivmedizin, RWTH Universitätsklinikum Aachen
,
A Daher
5   Sektion Pneumologie, Medizinische Klinik I, Medizinische Fakultät der RWTH Aachen
,
M Dreher
6   Universitätsklinikum Aachen; Department of Pneumology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany; Klinik für Pneumologie und Internistische Intensivmedizin, Medizinische Klinik V, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen
,
J Spiesshoefer
7   Medizinische Klinik V: Klinik für Pneumologie und Internistische Intensivmedizin; Universitätsklinikum Aachen
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Background Dyspnea is a common persistent symptom after acute coronavirus disease 2019 illness (COVID-19). One potential explanation for post-COVID-19 dyspnea is a reduction in diffusion capacity.

Objectives This longitudinal study investigated diffusion capacity and its relationship with dyspnea on exertion in individuals previously hospitalized with COVID-19.

Methods Eligible participants had been hospitalized for the treatment of acute COVID-19 and were assessed up to one year after discharge. Pulmonary function testing, diffusion capacity of carbon monoxide (DLCO), blood gas analysis and the level of dyspnea (Borg scale; before and after a 6-minute walk test [6MWT]) were performed. Participants were divided into subgroups based on the presence or absence of dyspnea during the 6MWT.

Results Seventy-two participants (22 female, mean age 59.8± 13.5 years) were included. At 1 year after discharge, 41/72 (56/72 participants, respectively) had impaired DLCO (i.e. below the lower limit of the normal, < 80% of predicted, respectively). Individuals with exertional dyspnea had significantly lower DLCO than those without exertional dyspnea (p < 0.01). In the subgroup of participants with longitudinal data available (n=25), DLCO improved between 6 weeks and 6 months after hospital discharge, but not thereafter (p= 0.02).

Conclusions About one third of the post-COVID-19 individuals in this study had impaired diffusion capacity at 12 months after hospital discharge (LLN). There was a clear association between persisting dyspnea on exertion and significantly reduced DLCO. Impaired diffusion capacity improved over the first 6 months after hospitalization, but not thereafter. One year after hospitalization due to COVID19 there are still patients with persistent exertional dyspnea. This is associated with impaired diffusion capacity. Over time, improvement of diffusion capacity can be observed within the first 6 months, but not thereafter.



Publication History

Article published online:
01 March 2024

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