[Factors for spirometric impairment in survivors of severe coronavirus-19 disease].

Abstract

Background: Patients with severe coronavirus-19 disease (COVID-19) have more spirometric alterations, especially a restrictive pattern characterized by low forced vital capacity (FVC). Some variables associated with this alteration in lung function have been described, such as hypoxemia, vaccination and hand strength, which in turn are related to the magnitude of lung damage.

Objective: To analyze different clinical variables and their association with alterations in spirometry in survivors of severe COVID-19.

Material and methods: Retrospective and observational study of survivors of severe COVID-19 sent for their first spirometry, hand dynamometry, and 6-minute walk (6MW) in a secondary care unit during 2021.

Results: 2 doses of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine were protective factor (odds ratio [OR]: 0.36, 95% CI [95% CI]: 0.1-0.8, p = 0.02) and hospitalization (> 15 days) was a risk factor for spirometric alterations (FVC < 80% of predicted) (OR: 3.0; 95% CI 1.3-6.8, p = 0.00); hand weakness, SpO2 desaturation > 4% in 6MW, and days of hospitalization were associated with low FVC.

Conclusions: A hospitalization > 15 days and having 2 doses of vaccination are risk and protective factors, respectively, of having a low FVC. Days of hospitalization, vaccination status, and FVC allowed to identify clusters of severe COVID-19 survivors with greater deterioration.