Long-term changes in pulmonary function among patients surviving to COVID-19 pneumonia

Purpose The aim of this study was to assess respiratory function at the time of clinical recovery, 6 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months after discharge in patients surviving to COVID-19 pneumonia. Methods Our case series consisted of 13 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. Results Baseline pulmonary function tests were 55.7 +/- 15.6 for FEV1%, 68.6 +/- 16.0 for FVC%, and 1.2 +/- 0.1 for FEV1/FVC%. Although pulmonary function showed a small improvement after 6 weeks, patients experienced a more significant improvement after 6 and 12 months in FEV1% (95.4 +/- 13.7 and 107.2 +/- 16.5, respectively; p < 0.001), FVC% (91.3 +/- 14.5, and 105.9 +/- 15.6, respectively; p < 0.001), and FEV1/FVC% values (1.04 +/- 0.04, and 1.01 +/- 0.05, respectively; p < 0.001). Conclusion COVID-19 pneumonia may result in significant alterations in lung function, with a mainly restrictive pattern, partly persisting at 6 weeks after recovery from acute phase, but significantly improving during a 12-month follow-up period.