Persistence of symptoms and lung function in mild cases of COVID-19 six months after infection: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

To describe persistent symptoms and lung function in mild cases of COVID-19 six months after infection.

METHODS

Data collection was performed through a semi-structured questionnaire containing information on the participants' demographic and anthropometric data, the disease in the acute phase, and persistent symptoms six months after COVID-19 using spirometry and manovacuometry.

RESULTS

A total of 136 participants were evaluated, of whom 64% were male, with a mean age of 38.17 ± 14.08 years and a body mass index (BMI) of 29.71 ± 17.48 kg/m2. The main persistent symptoms reported were dyspnea on exertion (39.7%), memory loss (38.2%), and anxiety (48.5%). Considering lung function, the participants reached 88.87 ± 17.20% of the predicted forced vital capacity (FVC), 86.03 ± 22.01% of the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and 62.71 ± 25.04% of peak expiratory flow (PEF). Upon manovacuometry, 97.41 ± 34.67% of the predicted inspiratory force (Pimax) and 66.86 ± 22.97% of the predicted expiratory force (Pemax) were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Six months after COVID-19 infection, a reduction in PEF and MEP was observed. Among the most commonly reported persistent symptoms were fatigue, tiredness with the slightest exertion, anxiety and depression, memory loss, and deficits in concentration.

Correlation between functional capacity and oxidative stress and inflammation in hemodialysis patients

INTRODUCTION

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) may present impaired functional capacity due to peripheral muscle involvement. Oxidative stress and inflammation are probably involved in this pathophysiology. This study aimed to evaluate the association between functional capacity and biomarkers of oxidative stress as well as biomarkers of inflammation in patients under chronic hemodialysis therapy.

METHOD

Cross-sectional study including 41 patients from a single hemodialysis center. Functional capacity was assessed through the 6-min walk test (6MWT). The assessed blood biomarkers were: malondialdehyde (MDA) (oxidative stress, TBARS method) and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) (inflammation, ELISA). The influence of gender on impairment of functional capacity was further explored.

RESULTS

There was an inversely proportional correlation between the 6MWD and MDA (r = -,322 and p = 0.040) and Ang-2 (r = -, 376 and p = 0.016) values. 6MWD was 370.9 ± 101.2 m and 391.4 ± 108.2 m in women and men, respectively (p < 0.001), which means 29.3% and 34.3% reduction of the expected values for healthy individuals from the same age range.

CONCLUSION

Patients with CKD under hemodialysis, regardless of gender, presented impaired performance in 6MWT and this impairment was associated with oxidative stress and inflammation.

Manual therapy in diaphragm muscle: effect on respiratory muscle strength and chest mobility

Introduction: Manual therapy uses the hands as a form of healing, being a manipulation for therapeutic purposes. However, there is little evidence of its effects on the respiratory system. Objective: To describe the effect of manual therapy on the diaphragm, on respiratory muscle strength and on the mobility of the thoracic cavity. Method: Descriptive, longitudinal, interventional and quantitative research, performed at the Cardiopneumofunctional Physical Therapy Laboratory of the Federal University of Ceará (UFC). The sample consisted of 40 sedentary female students, aged between 18 and 35 years of the Physiotherapy course of the UFC. The following techniques were performed: “diaphragm lift” and double diaphragm. Data collection was performed in three steps, on the same day and by the same researcher, under a homogeneous verbal command. It was considered statistically significant value of p≤0,05. Results: After applying the techniques, a comparative analysis was performed, which demonstrated a statistically significant difference in the maximum expiratory pressure, with p< 0,0001, and all the coefficients of the cirtometry, being p<0,0025 (axillary), p<0,0085 (xiphoid) and p<0,0005 (basal). Conclusion: Manual therapy techniques performed on the diaphragm exert an influence on muscle strength due to the increase in maximum expiratory pressure and in the mobility of the thoracic cavity, reflected in the increase of the coefficients of the cirtometry.