Pulmonary rehabilitation outcome in patients recovering from COVID-19 disease

In patients who have recovered from COVID-19, the functional impairment and prolonged symptoms of dyspnea, cough, weakness and fatigue can persist for a long period. The aim of this study was to evaluate functional capacity, respiratory muscle and hangrip strenght, pulmonary function tests and pulmonary rehabilitation outcome in patients recovering from COVID-19 disease. Study included patients recovering from COVID-19 diasese who attended standard in-person pulmonary rehabilitation program (PRP) five days a week, for three weeks. Patients were recruited during six months period, mainly treated on an outpatient basis for acute COVID-19 disease without previously recorded lung disease, and the reason for referral to PRP was dyspnea and exercise intolerance. Pulmonary function testing (spirometry, diffusing lung capacity for carbon monoxide, body pletysmography), maximum static inspiratory pressure (Pi max), maximum static expiratory pressure (Pe max), 6-minute walking test (6MWT) and handgrip musle strength were performed. There where 87 patients (40 male and 47 female), with mean age of 52,3 years. Average results of pulmonary function tests and Pe max prior to PRP showed no limitations, with reduced Pi max (73 cmH2O, 68%) and 6MWT distance (435m, 77%). There were statistically significant difference in 6MWT distance, Pi max and Pe max, hand grip muscle strength prior and after PRP (p<0.05). Patients in our study had exercise intolerance and decreased inspiratory muscle strength prior PRP with significant improvement after PRP. Our study shows that pulmonary rehabilitation is effective and important in patients recovering from COVID-19 disease.