Comparison of Pulmonary Functions After Induction of Stress Between Post-COVID and Healthy Adults.

Since the emergence of COVID in 2019, it has spread worldwide. COVID has affected all the systems of the human body. The present research aimed to assess the effects of COVID-19 on the pulmonary system after stress induction. Healthy and affected individuals between the age of 18 and 40 years were made to perform the 6-minute walk test and their pulmonary functions were compared before and after the stressor. Individuals who were three months post-COVID-19 infection were included as cases. Healthy individuals with no history of COVID were included as controls. The pulmonary functions were performed and noted both at baseline and after the 6-minute walk test. The forced expiratory flow 25 (FEF 25) and peak expiratory flow (PEF) showed statistical significance between both groups (p=0.033 and p=0.007, respectively). FEF 25, 50, and 75, maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV) index, and PEF were positively correlated with all respiratory parameters. Forced expiratory volume % (FEV%) was negatively correlated with vital capacity (VC) and forced vital capacity (FVC). This research helped us establish that the effect on the lungs due to COVID is not due to airway restriction or obstruction but reduced lung volume.

Sex-Linked Differences in Pulmonary Functions of COVID-19 Patients After a Six-Minute Walk Test.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) predominantly impacts the respiratory system. Historically, numerous lung diseases have shown sex-related differences throughout their progression. This study aimed to identify sex-linked disparities in pulmonary function tests (PFTs) among individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 when subjected to a six-minute walk test (6MWT). In this observational cross-sectional study, we analyzed 61 participants, consisting of 39 (64%) males and 22 (36%) females, all of whom previously contracted COVID-19 three months or more prior. We measured vitals such as blood pressure, pulse, oxygen saturation, and PFT values before and after the 6MWT. The post-6MWT evaluation revealed notable mean differences between males and females in parameters systolic blood pressure (SBP) (p = 0.003), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (p = 0.026), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) (p = 0.038), forced vital capacity (FVC) (p = 0.041), and maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV) index (p = 0.011). PFT outcomes indicated sex-based variations among post-COVID-19 subjects. Specifically, post-stress values for FEV1, FVC, MVV index, SBP, and DBP were more elevated in males than in females. However, females presented with higher oxygen saturation levels post-COVID-19 compared to males. Using multiple linear regression modeling, sex was not found to be a strong predictor of PFT results. However, individual regression analyses for FEV1, FVC, and MVV index consistently showcased higher values in males. In conclusion, significant PFT differences exist between males and females after recovery from COVID-19 when exposed to stress induction via the 6MWT.