Functional respiratory capacity in the elderly after COVID-19: a pilot study

Abstract

Background: The pandemic spread of SARS-CoV-2 has led to an unprecedented outbreak of viral pneumonia. Despite the current focus of worldwide research being the characterization of post-COVID-19 sequelae, the level of functional impact that this disease causes in the elderly who have presented moderate, severe, or critical manifestations is still unknown. Objective: To identify the main consequences/sequelae on functional respiratory capacity in the elderly after CoViD-19. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was carried out in the community. Functional aerobic capacity (2min step test), dyspnea perception (modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Questionnaire), respiratory and peripheral muscle strength (maximum inspiratory and expiratory pressure, grip strength), and the Frailty Index (Clinical Fragility Scale) were assessed in 25 community-dwelling individuals aged ≥65 years, who have had a diagnosis of CoViD-19 for up to 6 months, and in an equal number of elderly people with the same characteristics without a known diagnosis of CoViD-19. Results: The elderly with a diagnosis of CoViD-19 up to 6 months presented a decrease in the values of maximum inspiratory pressure (p=0.001) and maximum expiratory pressure (p=0.015), in aerobic capacity (p<0.001) with a significant presence of desaturation on exertion (p<0.001), and increased values of dyspnea perception (p=0.001) and Frailty Index (p=0.026). Conclusion: Significant changes were found in the functional respiratory capacity of elderly patients diagnosed with CoViD-19 for up to 6 months when compared with elderly individuals without a known diagnosis of CoViD-19. It is not possible to extrapolate the results obtained to the Portuguese population, however, these results may be an important indicator in the characterization of sequelae in the elderly after infection by SARS-CoV-2.