A recent study found that individuals who survived a severe COVID-19 infection experienced lung function damage. Researchers noted that half of the participants reported experiencing shortness of breath, potentially influenced by factors such as underlying health conditions and environmental pollution.
The research conducted by the Christian Medical College, Vellore, studying the effects of Covid-19 on lung function, analyzed 207 individuals.
The study analyzed significant declines in lung function, exercise capacity, and quality of life among recovered individuals.
The research revealed a notable occurrence of respiratory symptoms among Indian individuals post-recovery, persisting even beyond two months of acute Covid-19 illness. Shortness of breath was reported by 49.3% of participants, while 27.1% experienced coughing.
“It is clear from the study that lung function is affected more in the Indian population compared to data from other countries across every category of disease severity,” said study lead researcher D J Christopher, professor of pulmonary medicine at CMC Vellore.
The expert said that although it is impossible to know the exact cause of worse impairment among Indians, co-morbidities may be a factor. Co-morbidities describe when a person has more than one disease or condition at the same time.
The researchers, whose findings were published in the journal PLOS Global Public Health, conducted a comparative analysis of data from Europe and China.
An Italy-based study found dyspnoea present in 43% and cough in less than 20% of subjects, with lower figures in a Chinese study compared to the Indian study. However, the CMC study didn’t provide specific data from China or other European countries.
Regarding comorbidities, CMS Vellore researchers found 72.5% reporting conditions like type 2 diabetes, systemic hypertension, and chronic lung diseases.
Lung function tests revealed concerning trends, notably in diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO). About 44.4% had DLCO issues, higher in severe Covid-19 cases. The study highlighted worse lung function impairment in Indian subjects compared to predominantly Caucasian cohorts, underscoring post-Covid-19 lung damage’s significant impact on function, quality of life, and effort tolerance.