ABSTRACT
Introduction: Mechanical ventilation (MV) is a known risk to impact in respiratory and functional capacity postCOVID-19 infection. Objective(s): Assess pulmonary function, muscular strength and quality of life in post-COVID-19 patients submitted or not to MV. Method(s): During March of 2020 and July 2021 we had 983 hospitalized COVID-19 patients and 527 patients were discharged and invited to be followed at the multidisciplinary assistance. From the total, 116 patients [57% male, 59(52-67) years] were evaluated 60 days after first symptoms appearance through pulmonary function testing, manovacuometry, handgrip test and Saint George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). There were no vaccinated subjects. Result(s): 34% of the patients needed intensive care (n=39), of which, 51% needed MV (n=20). MV group showed statistically significant weaker handgrip strength [27(18-35) kgf vs 35(26-45) kgf;p=0,025] and maximum inspiratory pressure predicted percentile reduction (86+/-23,5% vs 101+/-27,6%;p=0,043) when compared to non-MV group. We did not observe SGRQ differences between the groups. However, females showed statistically significant higher impact in quality of life in all SGRQ domains compared to males. There were no differences in pulmonary function. Conclusion(s): MV submitted patients presented worsened respiratory and peripheral muscular strengths without difference in pulmonary function and quality of life. Women showed higher impact in quality of life regardless of MV use.