Lung function in reconvalescents with a history of viral pneumonia

Aim. To assess lung function during the long-term follow-up period in convalescents of community-acquired viral pneumonia caused by SARS-CoV-2.
Materials and methods. Fifty patients who had recovered from SARSCoV- 2-associated community-acquired viral pneumonia were examined. Two observation groups were formed: Group 1 included 24 patients without a history of chronic obstructive airway diseases, and Group 2 comprised 26 patients with asthma (BA). The control group consisted of 20 apparently healthy volunteers with normal lung function and no history of community-acquired pneumonia. Lung function tests were performed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after hospital discharge. Evaluated parameters included vital capacity (VC), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), FEV1/VC and FEV1/FVC ratios, forced expiratory flow at 25%, 50%, and 75% of FVC (FEF25, FEF50, FEF75, respectively), and maximal mid-expiratory flow (MMEF).
Results. In Group 1 patients, symptoms such as dyspnea, sensation of incomplete inspiration and expiration, and reduced mid-to-distal forced expiratory flow rates (FEF50, FEF75, and MMEF) persisted for up to 3 months and returned to normal values by 6 months after the viral pneumonia episode. In Group 2, at the 3-month follow-up, 78% of patients reported increased fatigue and 73% complained of dyspnea and incomplete expiration. Mild generalized bronchial obstruction, associated with persistent respiratory symptoms and poor asthma control, was observed in 75% of BA patients for up to 6 months and persisted at the mid-to-distal airway level for up to 12 months.
Conclusion. These findings suggest further research is needed to understand the mechanisms underlying prolonged respiratory dysfunction, particularly focusing on the immunometabolic consequences of SARS-CoV-2–induced communityacquired viral pneumonia.

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