Impaired diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide is common in critically ill Covid-19 patients at four months post-discharge

• Published in: Respiratory medicine Vol. 182; p. 106394
• Main Authors: E, Ekbom, R, Frithiof, Öi, Emilsson, IM, Larson, M, Lipcsey, S, Rubertsson, E, Wallin, C, Janson, M, Hultström, A, Malinovschi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01-06-2021; Elsevier Limited; The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd
• Subjects: ARDS; C-reactive protein; Carbon monoxide; Carbon Monoxide - metabolism; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; COVID-19 - metabolism; COVID-19 - physiopathology; Critical Illness; Diffusion capacity; Editing; Follow up; Funding; Humans; ICU treatment; Intensive care; Long-term effects; Lung - physiopathology; Lung diseases; Lung function; Mechanical ventilation; Medical research; Middle East respiratory syndrome; Patient Discharge; Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity - physiology; Pulmonary functions; Respiratory diseases; Respiratory function; SARS-CoV-2; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Short Communication; Spirometry; Supervision; Time Factors; Ventilators; Writing; COVID-19; ICU treatment; Follow up; Diffusion capacity; Lung function; ARDS
• ISSN: 0954-6111; 1532-3064; 1532-3064
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2021.106394

There is limited knowledge about the long-term effects on pulmonary function of COVID-19 in patients that required intensive care treatment. Spirometry and diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) were measured in 60 subjects at 3-6 months post discharge. Impaired lung function was found in 52% of the subjects, with reduced DLCO as the main finding. The risk increased with age above 60 years, need for mechanical ventilation and longer ICU stay as well as lower levels of C-reactive protein at admission. This suggests the need of follow-up with pulmonary function testing in intensive-care treated patients.
•Four months after Covid −19 over half of those treated in ICU have impaired lung function.•The most common impairment is reduced diffusing capacity, present in 45%.•This risk increases with age above 60, need for mechanical ventilation and time in ICU.•CRP at admission and as nadir lympho- and leukocytes was lower in the affected group.