RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: The relationship between dyspnea and COVID-19 is unknown. In COVID-19 patients, the higher prevalence of neurological symptoms and the lack of dyspnea may suggest common underlying pathogenetic mechanisms. The aim of this preliminary study is to address whether there is a lack of dyspnea in COVID-19 patients and if there is a relationship between neurological symptoms and the perception of dyspnea. METHODS: A structured interview regarding the occurrence of subjective neurological symptoms was performed and coupled with a questionnaire about the intensity and qualities of dyspnea. Respiratory rate (RR) and an arterial blood gas on room air were concurrently evaluated. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients (age 68.4 ± 13.9 years, 13 males and 9 females) were included and divided into two groups according to the Borg dyspnea scale: dyspneic patients BU ≥ 1(DYSP) and non-dyspneic patients BU < 1 (NDYSP). The prevalence of dyspnea overall was 31.8%. The prevalence of neurological symptoms, dyspnea descriptors, RR, pH, PaCO2, PaO2, or lactate was similar between groups. CONCLUSION: This study confirms that the prevalence of dyspnea is low in non-severe COVID-19 patients, but contrary to our hypothesis of a relationship between shortness of breath and neurological symptoms, we have not been able to find any evidence of an impairment in dyspnea perception, either in the DYSP or NDYSP group.
Assuntos
Betacoronavirus , Infecções por Coronavirus/diagnóstico , Autoavaliação Diagnóstica , Dispneia/diagnóstico , Doenças do Sistema Nervoso/diagnóstico , Percepção , Pneumonia Viral/diagnóstico , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Gasometria/métodos , Gasometria/psicologia , COVID-19 , Infecções por Coronavirus/complicações , Infecções por Coronavirus/psicologia , Dispneia/etiologia , Dispneia/psicologia , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Doenças do Sistema Nervoso/etiologia , Doenças do Sistema Nervoso/psicologia , Pandemias , Pneumonia Viral/complicações , Pneumonia Viral/psicologia , SARS-CoV-2RESUMO
Arterial puncture is the most common method used to obtain a sample for the measurement of arterial blood gases (ABGs) and is essential to guide the prescription of long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) in patients with chronic hypoxic lung disease. However, this procedure is often reported by patients as a painful and unpleasant experience, which to date has not been explored. This audit specifically examines the subjective views of a small group of patients (n = 41) who are receiving LTOT who have experienced repeated ABGs. Results demonstrated that 49% (n = 20) were poorly informed regarding what the procedure involved, almost half the patients 49% (n = 20) recalled pain levels of 5 and above on a visual analogue scale and 66% (n = 27) were totally unaware that the test could make a considerable difference to their treatment. While highlighting the deficits in current practice locally, this audit concludes that the respiratory nurse specialist is in an ideal position to implement changes to improve the patient's experience of chronic disease management.