Table 1.
Characteristics of the included patients who underwent respiratory physiotherapy. Data are expressed as median (1st–3rd quartile) or number (%) as appropriate. BMI, body mass index; SOFA, sequential organ failure assessment; RPT, respiratory physiotherapy; ICU, intensive care unit; COT, conventional oxygen therapy; PSV, pressure support ventilation.
| Characteristics of Patients | Included Patients (n = 20) |
|---|---|
| Demographics | |
| Gender, female, n (%) | 4 (20) |
| Age, years, median (1st–3rd quartile) | 63 (52–75) |
| BMI, kg/m2, median (1st–3rd quartile) | 28 (26–30) |
| Previous chronic comorbidities, n (%) | |
| Chronic respiratory diseases | 0 (0) |
| Chronic cardiovascular diseases | 2 (10) |
| Active cancer | 0 (0) |
| Chronic neurologic disorders | 0 (0) |
| Chronic moderate/severe liver diseases | 0 (0) |
| End-stage kidney injury | 0 (0) |
| Chronic hypertension | 7 (35) |
| Diabetes mellitus (type II) | 0 (0) |
| Active smoker | 4 (20) |
| ICU characteristics, median (1st–3rd quartile) | |
| SOFA score at ICU admission | 4 (3–4) |
| Days between symptoms onset and ICU admission | 9 (8–14) |
| Days of mechanical ventilation during ICU stay | 18 (11–79) |
| Type of ventilation during RPT, n (%) | |
| PSV | 9 (45) |
| COT | 11 (55) |
| ICU discharge characteristics, n (%) | |
| Dead | 1 (5) |
| Alive | 19 (95) |