Assessing post-COVID-19 functional recovery in healthcare workers: Insights from the 6-minute walking test and DLCO analysis

Abstract

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted healthcare workers (HCWs) worldwide, necessitating an understanding of its effects on their health and functional capacity. This study utilized the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) and pulmonary function test (PFT) to evaluate post-infection recovery of HCWs, and analyzed the results in relation to comorbidities, symptoms, and healthcare admission.

Methods

HCWs who previously tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 were recruited, and the 6MWT and PFT were conducted. Clinical data, including comorbidities, symptoms, hospitalization history, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and mechanical ventilation, were collected. Binary logistic regression analysis and Fisher's exact test were employed to examine the associations between these factors and diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO) and the 6MWT.

Results

The study comprised 80 HCWs, with various comorbidities and various presenting symptoms. On average, 167.24 days (± 63.83 days) post-SARS-CoV-2 infection, 34 (42.5 %) had a DLCO% < 80 % of the predicted value, while 46 (57.5 %) had a DLCO% of ≥ 80 %. The mean six-minute-walk distance (6MWD) was 400.6 ± 54.1 m. No significant associations were found between DLCO% and most of the factors examined, except for Forced Expiratory Flow 25–75 % (FEF25–75 %), although this was not statistically significant (P=0.069).

Conclusion

The study provides significant data regarding the functional recovery of HCWs who have recovered from COVID-19 using the 6MWT. Importantly, the findings demonstrated that SARS-CoV-2 infection did not substantially impair the pulmonary functional capacity of HCWs.