RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Cardiopulmonary exercise capacity and limitations 3 months after COVID-19 hospitalisation
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP 2100996
DO 10.1183/13993003.00996-2021
VO 58
IS 2
A1 Ingunn Skjørten
A1 Odd Andre Wathne Ankerstjerne
A1 Divna Trebinjac
A1 Eivind Brønstad
A1 Øystein Rasch-Halvorsen
A1 Gunnar Einvik
A1 Tøri Vigeland Lerum
A1 Knut Stavem
A1 Anne Edvardsen
A1 Charlotte Björk Ingul
YR 2021
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/58/2/2100996.abstract
AB Background This study aimed to describe cardiopulmonary function during exercise 3 months after hospital discharge for COVID-19 and compare groups according to dyspnoea and intensive care unit (ICU) stay.Methods Participants with COVID-19 discharged from five large Norwegian hospitals were consecutively invited to a multicentre, prospective cohort study. In total, 156 participants (mean age 56.2 years, 60 females) were examined with a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) 3 months after discharge and compared with a reference population. Dyspnoea was assessed using the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnoea scale.Results Peak oxygen uptake (V′O2 peak) <80% predicted was observed in 31% (n=49). Ventilatory efficiency was reduced in 15% (n=24), while breathing reserve <15% was observed in 16% (n=25). Oxygen pulse <80% predicted was found in 18% (n=28). Dyspnoea (mMRC ≥1) was reported by 47% (n=59). These participants had similar V′O2 peak (p=0.10) but lower mean±sd V′O2 peak·kg−1 % predicted compared with participants without dyspnoea (mMRC 0) (76±16% versus 89±18%; p=0.009) due to higher body mass index (p=0.03). For ICU- versus non-ICU-treated participants, mean±sd V′O2 peak % predicted was 82±15% and 90±17% (p=0.004), respectively. Ventilation, breathing reserve and ventilatory efficiency were similar between the ICU and non-ICU groups.Conclusions One-third of participants experienced V′O2 peak <80% predicted 3 months after hospital discharge for COVID-19. Dyspnoeic participants were characterised by lower exercise capacity due to obesity and lower ventilatory efficiency. Ventilation and ventilatory efficiency were similar between ICU- and non-ICU-treated participants.Oxygen uptake was reduced in one-third of participants 3 months after hospitalisation for COVID-19. The most common exercise limitation was deconditioning. Circulatory limitations to exercise were more common than ventilatory limitations. https://bit.ly/3jmVDQ6