Table 2.
Pulmonary function at 6-week and 3- and 6-month follow-up in patients hospitalized for COVID-19
| 6 Weeks | 3 Months | 6 Months | P Value | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spirometry | ||||
| FVC, L | 3.4 ± 0.1 | 3.6 ± 0.1 | 3.7 ± 0.1 | <0.001 |
| FVC% predicted | 86.3 ± 1.6 | 90.0 ± 1.6 | 93.8 ± 2.0 | <0.001 |
| FVC z-score | −1.0 ± 0.1 | −0.69 ± 0.1 | −0.44 ± 0.1 | <0.001 |
| FVC% < LLN | 25 ± 4.7 | 21 ± 4.3 | 11 ± 5.3 | 0.127 |
| FEV1, L | 2.7 ± 0.08 | 2.8 ± 0.08 | 2.8 ± 0.1 | 0.319 |
| FEV1% predicted | 88.4 ± 1.7 | 89.6 ± 1.6 | 92.6 ± 1.9 | 0.001 |
| FEV1 z-score | −0.80 ± 0.1 | −0.70 ± 0.1 | −1.4 ± 0.9 | 0.061 |
| FEV1% < LLN | 18 ± 4.6 | 16 ± 3.9 | 12 ± 4.8 | 0.663 |
| Gas exchange | ||||
| DlCOc, mmol/(min*kPa) | 5.9 ± 0.2 | 6.2 ± 0.2 | 6.8 ± 0.2 | <0.001 |
| DlCOc% predicted | 69.5 ± 1.8 | 73.0 ± 1.8 | 80.0 ± 1.8 | <0.001 |
| DlCOc z-score | −2.3 ± 0.2 | −2.0 ± 0.1 | −1.4 ± 0.1 | <0.001 |
| DlCOc% < LLN | 63 ± 5.5 | 51 ± 5.4 | 46 ± 7.0 | 0.021 |
Definition of abbreviations: COVID-19 = coronavirus disease; DlCOc = diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide adjusted for hemoglobin; FEV1 = forced expiratory volume in 1 second; FVC = forced vital capacity; LLN = lower limit of normal.
Data are presented as the mean ± standard error or proportion ± standard error. Estimates and P values were obtained by using linear mixed model analyses in cases of continuous outcomes and by using generalized linear mixed model analyses in cases of binary outcomes.