Multidimensional Assessment of Dyspnea in Postcovid Patients Referred to Pulmonary Rehabilitation

ABSTRACT

MULTIDIMENSIONAL ASSESSMENT OF DYSPNEA IN POSTCOVID PATIENTS REFERRED TO PULMONARY REHABILITATION In patients who suffer sequels after severe acute respiratory syndrome caused by Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2), dyspnea is the most prevalent respiratory symptom. We aimed to analyze a subgroup of patients under follow-up in the pulmonology rehabilitation units after hospitalization for moderate-severe SARS-CoV2 pneumonia. We prospectively studied 455 patients until November 2021. We analyzed dyspnea by mMRC scale, grade of fatigue by FACIT-F (0 without fatigue-4 intense fatigue), spirometry and DLCO, 6-minute walk test (Osses'equations), isometric strength of dominant quadriceps (weakness threshold <70%), maximal sniff nasal inspiratory pressure test (weakness thresholds <70 cmH2O for men and <60 cmH2O for women), body composition and physical activity IPAQ-7. We grouped our sample according to the severity of the mMRC dyspnea (>= 2 vs < 2) and results were compared for the global sample and separately for men and women. Table 1 shows the baseline characteristics. 41.5% of women and 19.5% of men showed inspiratory muscle weakness. 52.7% of the patients reported dyspnea mMRC >= 2 and studied variables were significantly worse (Table 2). In the women group, only the 6-minute walk distance, the level of physical activity and the fatigue grade were significantly worse in patients with greater dyspnea (Table 2). Conclusion(s) In our sample, multifactorial moderate-intense dyspnea becomes a good marker of functional capacity, muscle function, grade of fatigue and physical activity in patients who have suffered from moderate-severe Covid-19 pneumonia.