RESTRICTIVE LUNG DEFECT IN POST-COVID-19 PNEUMONIA

TOPIC: Chest Infections TYPE: Original Investigations PURPOSE: Impairment of lung function test is well recognized among post-COVID-19 patients. The aim of our study is to assess the characteristics of patients found to have restrictive lung defect after having COVID-19 pneumonia. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of patients who completed spirometry test in a community pulmonary clinic in Corpus Christi, Texas from March 2020-March 2021 was conducted. All patients who had COVID-19 pneumonia prior to the test were included. Restrictive lung defect was defined by FEV1 < 80% or FVC < 80%. Patients were categorized into restrictive vs. non-restrictive lung defect groups. Baseline characteristics and spirometry parameters were compared. Multivariate analysis was performed using logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 65 patients were included. Thirty-eight patients had restrictive lung defect (58.5%). Patients with restrictive lung defect had lower mean FEV1 (2.1±0.6 vs. 2.7±0.5 L, p<0.001), predicted FEV1 (70.4 vs 98.5%, p < 0.001), FVC (2.5±0.7 and 3.3±0.7 L, p< 0.001) and predicted FVC (65.9 vs 95.1%, p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in mean age (60 vs. 58 years), gender (male 63 vs. 41%), race (Caucasian 24 vs. 22, Hispanic 74 vs. 70%), body mass index (BMI) (36 vs. 35 kg/m2), hypertension (55 vs. 48%), hyperlipidemia (37 vs. 37%), asthma/COPD (18 vs. 30 %), obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) (29 vs 7%) and smoking (12 vs. 7%) among restrictive lung vs. non-restrictive lung groups. However, diabetes was higher in restrictive lung group (45 vs 15%, p=0.02) and remained significant after being adjusted for age, gender, race, BMI, asthma/COPD, OSA and smoking (p=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Our study found restrictive lung defect in more than half of post-COVID patients. There is no significant difference between restrictive vs. non-restrictive lung groups in terms of age, gender, race and smoking. Diabetes is higher among post-COVID pneumonia patients with restrictive lung defect. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Restrictive lung disease is seen commonly among post-COVID patients. Closer follow-up is suggested among the population with restrictive lung disease to ensure improvement. DISCLOSURES: No relevant relationships by Aiza Mominkhawaja, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Pattharawin Pattharanitima, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Munish Sharma, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Salim Surani, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Pahnwat Taweesedt, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Joseph Varon, source=Web Response