Medical rehabilitation of patients after COVID-19 and its impact on lung function and quality of life

Abstract

<b>The aim:</b> To assess the influence of the medical rehabilitation (MR) on pulmonary function, dyspnea, muscle weakness, quality of life (QL), anxiety and depression in patients after COVID-19. <b>Materials and methods:</b> The study included 28 patients after COVID-19, 25(89%) males, a median age of 46 yrs. All patients had bilateral COVID-19 pneumonia. The median of the CT abnormalities in the acute period of COVID-19 was 52,2%. The duration from COVID-19 onset to pulmonary function tests (PFTs) such as spirometry, body plethysmography, diffusion test was 46,5 (25-69) days. The second stage of MR included medical and physical therapy, and physiotherapy. Before and after the second stage of MR PFTs were performed as well as dyspnea, muscle weakness, anxiety and depression and QL were assessed. <b>Results:</b> Before the start of MR, on average, the severity of dyspnea in the group (mMRC) was mild, muscle strength (MRC Weakness) was slightly reduced,&nbsp;QL&nbsp;score was 75 points from 100 (EQ-5D-5L), anxiety and depression (HADS) were not revealed. The medians of all PFTs parameters were within normal values except for diffusion&nbsp;impairment that was 64,5% of predicted value (pred). Repeated examination showed a statistically significant reduction in the degree of dyspnea, increase muscle strength, improvement QL, and increase slow vital capacity (SVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1), transfer factor CO (DLCO), alveolar volume (VA), as well. The medians increase of SVC, FEV1, DLCO, VA were 5%pred.(210 ml), 6,3%pred.(220 ml), 4%pred.(1,29 ml/min/mmHg), 400 ml, respectively. <b>Conclusion:</b> Our research has shown the importance and effectiveness of the medical rehabilitation after COVID-19.