Pulmonary function and exercise capacity six months after hospital discharge of patients with severe COVID-19

Advance in the mechanism and clinical research of myalgia in long COVID

As severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continues to evolve, mortality rates of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have significantly decreased. However, a variable proportion of patients exhibit persistent prolonged symptoms of COVID-19 infection (long COVID). This virus primarily attacks respiratory system, but numerous individuals complain persistent skeletal muscle pain or worsening pre-existing muscle pain post COVID-19, which severely affects the quality of life and recovery. Currently, there is limited research on the skeletal muscle pain in long COVID. In this brief review, we review potential pathological mechanisms of skeletal muscle pain in long COVID, and summarize the various auxiliary examinations and treatments for skeletal muscle pain in long COVID. We consider abnormal activation of inflammatory response, myopathy, and neurological damages as pivotal pathological mechanisms of skeletal muscle pain in long COVID. A comprehensive examination is significantly important in order to work out effective treatment plans and relieve skeletal muscle pain. So far, rehabilitation interventions for myalgia in long COVID contain but are not limited to drug, nutraceutical therapy, gut microbiome-targeted therapy, interventional therapy and strength training. Our study provides a potential mechanism reference for clinical researches, highlighting the importance of comprehensive approach and management of skeletal muscle pain in long COVID. The relief of skeletal muscle pain will accelerate rehabilitation process, improve activities of daily living and enhance the quality of life, promoting individuals return to society with profound significance.

Quality of Life, Family Support, Spirometry, and 6-Minute Walking Distance Differences between COVID-19 and Non-COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit Patients in One Year Following Hospital Discharge

BACKGROUND

Critically ill patients after Intensive Care Unit (ICU) discharge may present disability in their cognitive and physical functions.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the quality of life (QoL) of both COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients following ICU discharge, lung function, and physical performance of participants.

METHODS

This study was prospective and conducted between 2020 and 2021 in the "X" hospital. If patients were Mechanically-Ventilated (MV) > 48 h, they were included.

RESULTS

Fifty COVID-19 and seventy-two non-COVID-19 participants were included in this study. The mean (SD) of the total SF-36 scores at COVID-19 patients at hospital discharge and 3 and 12 months were 46.5 (14.5), 68.6 (17.8), and 82.3 (8.9) (p < 0.05), while non-COVID-19 participants were 48.5 (12.1), 72.2 (9.9), and 82.7 (5.4) (p < 0.05). The forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and 6-minute walking distance (6MWD) were assessed at 3 and 12 months and significantly improved over 12 months.

CONCLUSION

The QoL of COVID-19 patients improved significantly over time as FEV1 and 6MWD.

Effect of home-based pulmonary rehabilitation on exercise capacity in post COVID-19 patients: a randomized controlled trail

BACKGROUND

Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) is an epidemic condition that compromises various consequences. The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of home-based pulmonary rehabilitation on exercise capacity in patients with post COVID-19 syndrome.

METHODS

The study was designed as a randomized control trial. A total of sixty-eight patients with post COVID-19 syndrome complaining of fatigue, dyspnea, and exercise intolerance participated in this study. Their ages ranged from 40 to 70 years old. The patients were randomly classified into two equal groups. The control group received usual medical care only, whereas the rehabilitation group received a selected home-based pulmonary rehabilitation exercise program plus the same usual medical care. The Physical Fitness Index (PFI), Chalder fatigue index, SF-36 questionnaire, dyspnea scale, and six-minute walk test (6 MWT) were measured before and after 12 weeks of intervention.

RESULTS

The rehabilitation group showed a significant lower mean of Chalder fatigue (11.1 ± 0.94) and a higher mean of 6MWT (439.7 ± 25.3) and PFI (52.3 ± 10.2), in addition to a higher mean of the SF-36 Questionnaire (66.4 ± 3.7) and a significant improvement of dyspnea in the mMRC score (26.7%), grade 2, (63.3%), grade 1 (10%), and grade 0 with a p-value < 0.001 when compared to the control group.

CONCLUSION

Home-based pulmonary rehabilitation (HBPR) for patients with post COVID-19 syndrome is effective and has a potential direct influence on exercise capacity, fatigue, dyspnea, and quality of life. HBPR could be considered an adjunctive, applicable, and low-cost therapy for patients with post COVID-19 syndrome.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The study was registered in Pan African Clinical Trial Registry as a clinical trial ID (PACTR202111640499636), November 2021.