TY - JOUR

T1 - Hospital admission for COVID-19 pneumonitis–long-term impairment in quality of life and lung function

AU - Vejen, Marie

AU - Hansen, Ejvind Frausing

AU - Al-Jarah, Bakir Nabil Ibrahim

AU - Jensen, Casper

AU - Thaning, Pia

AU - Jeschke, Klaus Nielsen

AU - Ulrik, Charlotte Suppli

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

PY - 2022

Y1 - 2022

N2 - Background and Aim: Knowledge of long-term consequences of severe COVID-19 pneumonitis is of outmost importance. Our aim was, therefore, to assess the long-term impact on quality of life and lung function in adults hospitalized with severe COVID-19. Methods: All patients hospitalized with COVID-19 pneumonitis at Copenhagen University Hospital-Hvidovre, Denmark, were invited to participate in the study 4–5 months after discharge. Of the 160 invited 128 responded positively (80%). Medical history and symptoms were assessed, and patients rated impact on quality of life and functional status with EuroQol-5D-5L and Post Covid Functional Scale. Lung function was assessed by dynamic spirometry and measurement of diffusing capacity. Results: Fatigue, dyspnea, cough and cognitive dysfunction were the most common symptoms. Of 128 patients, 85% had at least one symptom, and 51% reported two or more symptoms. Self-rated Quality of life was impaired assessed by EuroQol 5D-5L, with dimensions ‘Pain or discomfort’ (61%) and ‘Usual activities’ (54%) mostly affected. Functional status was significantly worse than before COVID-19 assessed by Post-COVID Functional Scale. Among lung function parameters, diffusing capacity was most affected, with 45% having diffusing capacity < 80% of predicted. Conclusion: Fatigue, respiratory symptoms and cognitive symptoms are highly common months after hospitalization for severe COVID-19. Compared to pre-COVID-19, functional status and usual activities continued to be impaired. In line with this, almost half of the patients were found to have impaired diffusing capacity.

AB - Background and Aim: Knowledge of long-term consequences of severe COVID-19 pneumonitis is of outmost importance. Our aim was, therefore, to assess the long-term impact on quality of life and lung function in adults hospitalized with severe COVID-19. Methods: All patients hospitalized with COVID-19 pneumonitis at Copenhagen University Hospital-Hvidovre, Denmark, were invited to participate in the study 4–5 months after discharge. Of the 160 invited 128 responded positively (80%). Medical history and symptoms were assessed, and patients rated impact on quality of life and functional status with EuroQol-5D-5L and Post Covid Functional Scale. Lung function was assessed by dynamic spirometry and measurement of diffusing capacity. Results: Fatigue, dyspnea, cough and cognitive dysfunction were the most common symptoms. Of 128 patients, 85% had at least one symptom, and 51% reported two or more symptoms. Self-rated Quality of life was impaired assessed by EuroQol 5D-5L, with dimensions ‘Pain or discomfort’ (61%) and ‘Usual activities’ (54%) mostly affected. Functional status was significantly worse than before COVID-19 assessed by Post-COVID Functional Scale. Among lung function parameters, diffusing capacity was most affected, with 45% having diffusing capacity < 80% of predicted. Conclusion: Fatigue, respiratory symptoms and cognitive symptoms are highly common months after hospitalization for severe COVID-19. Compared to pre-COVID-19, functional status and usual activities continued to be impaired. In line with this, almost half of the patients were found to have impaired diffusing capacity.

KW - COVID-19

KW - health-related quality of life

KW - long term follow up

KW - pulmonary function

KW - sequelae

U2 - 10.1080/20018525.2021.2024735

DO - 10.1080/20018525.2021.2024735

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 35024101

AN - SCOPUS:85122486605

VL - 9

JO - European Clinical Respiratory Journal

JF - European Clinical Respiratory Journal

SN - 2001-8525

IS - 1

M1 - 2024735

ER -