Title:Assessing Lung Function and Quality of Life in COVID-19 Patients: A
Pilot Study
Volume: 20
Issue: 1
Author(s): Mitra Samareh Fekri, Faranak Salajegheh*, Mohammad Rezaei Zadeh Rukerd, Mohsen Nakhaie, Maliheh Sadat Bazrafshani, Fatemeh Goharriz and Mohammad Sadegh Shahmoradzadeh Miri
Affiliation:
- Clinical Research Development Unit, Afzalipour Hospital, Kerman University of Medical Sciences,
Kerman, Iran
Keywords:
COVID 19, pulmonary function, spirometry, respiratory complications, mental health, lung function.
Abstract:
Background and Objective: Respiratory complications of COVID-19 should be considered
as critical concerns that require prompt medical intervention. The aim of this study was to examine
the impact of COVID-19 on pulmonary function and quality of life among recovered patients
through a three-month follow-up period.
Methods: This pilot study aimed to assess the pulmonary functions and quality of life in 32
COVID-19 survivors at Afzalipour Hospital, Kerman, Iran. Pulmonary functions were evaluated
using spirometry to evaluate FVC, FEV1, PEF, and FEV1/FVC. Quality of life was measured using
the SF-36 questionnaire, which evaluated eight health-related concepts. Statistical analysis
was performed using SPSS v23.
Results: Among the 32 survivors of COVID-19, 41.6% and 59.4% were male and female, respectively.
The mean length of hospitalization for admitted patients (56.3% of all patients) was 10.89
days. Male survivors exhibited significantly lower values in FEV1 (3.06 vs. 4.05, p = 0.02), PEF
(6.45 vs. 10.58, p = 0.002), and FEF-25-75 (3.17 vs. 4.94, p = 0.008) compared to healthy males
of the same age. For female survivors, all pulmonary indices were significantly lower than healthy
females of the same age. Regarding quality of life, there was no statistical significance between
male and female survivors. However, when compared with healthy populations, survivors obtained
lower scores in various quality-of-life items. Male survivors had notably lower scores in
physical functioning (3.17 vs. 4.94, p = 0.008) and physical role (40.38 vs. 73.8, p = 0.008). Female
survivors scored considerably lower than the healthy population in all quality of life items,
except for role emotional and mental health.
Conclusion: COVID-19 survivors had lower pulmonary indices and quality of life compared to
healthy individuals of the same sex and age, with female survivors exhibiting worse conditions.
