Background: Respiratory COVID-19 post-acute sequelae (PASC) may persist for extended periods following recovery. Methods: Patients with PASC who were referred for Salus Per Aquam (SPA) therapy were enrolled in the study. Aim: To categorize patients based on the presence of dyspnea and fatigue, with a specific focus on obesity, chronic respiratory conditions, and predictors of rehabilitation outcomes. Results: From July-November 2021, 327 consecutive patients were enrolled at the spa center. Among these, 31% had been previously hospitalized, 5% had required noninvasive or invasive mechanical ventilation. Approximately one-third of the cohort underwent DLCO testing, which was abnormal in 56.3% of cases. Patients with impaired DLCO had significantly higher dyspnea rates compared to those with normal DLCO (88.9% vs. 64.3%, p < 0.0001). Dyspneic patients were more likely to have one or more comorbidities (p < 0.001), be obese (p = 0.005), and have a history of chronic respiratory disease (p = 0.0009). Patients reporting fatigue also had higher rates of dyspnea (91.2% vs. 61.5%, p < 0.0001), were more frequently obese (p = 0.03), had more comorbidities (p = 0.02), and had a greater history of hospitalization (p = 0.02). No improvement in dyspnea/fatigue was observed post-SPA treatment among patients with DLCO impairment and obese. However, patients with chronic respiratory conditions reported benefit. Conclusions: Dyspnea in PASC is complex and multifactorial. The findings suggest that SPA rehabilitation may be particularly beneficial for alleviating fatigue and enhancing overall well-being in selected subgroups of patients with PASC.
Respiratory post COVID sequelae: the role of pulmonary function impairment, fatigue and obesity in dyspnea and the impact of SPA rehabilitation
Pierucci Pierucci
2025-01-01
Abstract
Background: Respiratory COVID-19 post-acute sequelae (PASC) may persist for extended periods following recovery. Methods: Patients with PASC who were referred for Salus Per Aquam (SPA) therapy were enrolled in the study. Aim: To categorize patients based on the presence of dyspnea and fatigue, with a specific focus on obesity, chronic respiratory conditions, and predictors of rehabilitation outcomes. Results: From July-November 2021, 327 consecutive patients were enrolled at the spa center. Among these, 31% had been previously hospitalized, 5% had required noninvasive or invasive mechanical ventilation. Approximately one-third of the cohort underwent DLCO testing, which was abnormal in 56.3% of cases. Patients with impaired DLCO had significantly higher dyspnea rates compared to those with normal DLCO (88.9% vs. 64.3%, p < 0.0001). Dyspneic patients were more likely to have one or more comorbidities (p < 0.001), be obese (p = 0.005), and have a history of chronic respiratory disease (p = 0.0009). Patients reporting fatigue also had higher rates of dyspnea (91.2% vs. 61.5%, p < 0.0001), were more frequently obese (p = 0.03), had more comorbidities (p = 0.02), and had a greater history of hospitalization (p = 0.02). No improvement in dyspnea/fatigue was observed post-SPA treatment among patients with DLCO impairment and obese. However, patients with chronic respiratory conditions reported benefit. Conclusions: Dyspnea in PASC is complex and multifactorial. The findings suggest that SPA rehabilitation may be particularly beneficial for alleviating fatigue and enhancing overall well-being in selected subgroups of patients with PASC.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
