LUNG FUNCTION DISORDERS IN PATIENTS WITH ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS AND THEIR DYNAMICS AFTER A NEW CORONAVIRUS INFECTION COVID-19

ABSTRACT

Introduction. Lung function disorders in patients with ankylosing spondylitis can be caused both by the disease itself and the side effect of the treatment. Aim. The aim was to investigate the lung function in patients with ankylosing spondylitis and analyze its dynamics after COVID-19 on the example of clinical case. Material and methods. 29 patients were enrolled in the study. Spirometry, body plethysmography, diffusion test was performed. In 1 patient the dynamics of parameters was analysed after COVID-19. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 23.0. Quantitative data with a normal distribution were presented as the mean and standard deviation (m±σ). The data with different type of distribution were presented as the median and interquartile range (Me [Q1;Q3 ]). The differences between quantitative parameters were assessed by student's t-test for data with normal distribution and by the Wilcoxon test for data with different distribution. To assess the differences between qualitative parameters the Fisher's exact test was used. A value of p<0,05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results and discussion. A retrospective cross-sectional study was performed. The predicted values of the European Community for Steel and Coal 1993 and the Global Lung function Initiative were used in the analysis. On average, no ventilation disorders were detected in the group. However, 7 (24%) patients had airway obstruction. Restriction and impaired lung diffusion capacity were detected in 3 (10%) and 12 (41%) patients using European Community for Steel and Coal 1993 predicted values system and in 2 (7%) and 6 (21%) patients using the Global Lung function Initiative predicted values system respectively. The differences were statistically significant. In clinical case, the previously established lung function disorders became more pronounced after COVID-19 ventilation capacity, total lung capacity, diffusion lung capacity decreased by 50%, 35%, 38% respectively. Conclusion. Lung function tests should be included in the examination plan of patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Patients with ankylosing spondylitis may have a more severe course of COVID-19. The system of the predicted values used should be presented in the medical report. © 2022, LLC "IMC" Modern Clinical Medicine. All rights reserved.