Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

April 20, 2021

Symptoms, Pulmonary Function and Functional Capacity Four Months after COVID-19

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  • Fatigue and shortness of breath with exertion were present four months after infection in approximately 70% of COVID-19 survivors, according to a prospective study of hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Ottawa, Canada (n=25). Among non-hospitalized survivors (n=38), fatigue and exertional breathlessness persisted in 71% and 55%, respectively. At follow-up, forced vital capacity, total lung capacity, peak VO2% predicted, peak heart rate, and oxygen pulse were all lower in hospitalized compared with non-hospitalized survivors. Chronotropic insufficiency (heart rate reserve <0.8) was more prevalent in hospitalized survivors (68% vs 18%).

Abdallah et al. (Apr 19, 2021). Symptoms, Pulmonary Function and Functional Capacity Four Months after COVID-19. Annals of the American Thoracic Society. https://doi.org/10.1513/AnnalsATS.202012-1489RL