Abstract
There has been an apparent association between the risks of complications with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in patients with a history of existing chronic respiratory diseases during the pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). SARS-CoV-2 poses a severe risk in cardiopulmonary management. Moreover, chronic respiratory diseases may further amplify the risk of morbidity and mortality among the afflicted population in the pandemic era. The present review outlines the importance of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) in persons with chronic respiratory diseases (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and Asthma) during the COVID-19 era. In this context, amongst the population with a pre-existing pulmonary diagnosis who have contracted SARS-CoV-2, following initial medical management and acute recovery, exercise-based pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) may play a crucial role in long-term management and recovery. The energy conservation techniques will play a pragmatic role in PR of mild to moderate severity cases to counter post-COVID-19 fatigue. Moreover, there is also an urgent need to effectively address post-COVID-19 anxiety and depression, affecting the PR delivery system.
Highlights
The global emergence of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV -2) was recognized as a novel and potentially life-threatening virus throughout the world. The emergence of this virus has led to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is triggered by a novel strain of coronavirus rapidly uses Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE-2), which is identified to be the main receptor at the cellular level of the human airway system to gain access into the human host system and cause infection [1]
Expression of ACE-2 is found to be increased in the lower respiratory tract of patients diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) [1] and Asthma
The symptoms related to COVID-19 infection were more severe in patients with pre-existing chronic respiratory conditions like COPD and only moderately affected Asthma [15]
Summary
The global emergence of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV -2) was recognized as a novel and potentially life-threatening virus throughout the world. The lung inflammation storm caused due to SARS coronavirus 2 infection may progress to Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) and may present with symptoms that may vary from mild to moderate cough, breathlessness, sputum production, and hemoptysis. The diagnosed cases of COPD across all stages of the disease carry an increased risk of COVID-19 infection, which may lead to severe lung complications in survivors [9]. The symptoms related to COVID-19 infection were more severe in patients with pre-existing chronic respiratory conditions like COPD and only moderately affected Asthma [15]. PR program goals are the restoration of physical, psychological, and social functions to their optimal level These goals may well be considered for COVID-19, COPD/asthma survivors, given the possibilities of irreversible lung damage and long-term disabilities. Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR): access to the rehabilitation services, therapeutic strategies, and beneficial effects
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