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. 2021 Nov-Dec:189:106648.
doi: 10.1016/j.rmed.2021.106648. Epub 2021 Oct 13.

Respiratory rehabilitation for Covid-19 related persistent dyspnoea: A one-year experience

Benoit Bouteleux  1 , Pauline Henrot  2 , Rachel Ernst  3 , Léo Grassion  4 , Chantal Raherison-Semjen  5 , Fabien Beaufils  2 , Maéva Zysman  6 , Mathieu Delorme  7
Affiliations

Respiratory rehabilitation for Covid-19 related persistent dyspnoea: A one-year experience

Benoit Bouteleux et al. Respir Med. 2021 Nov-Dec.

Abstract

Background: Growing consideration is emerging regarding the burden of persisting sequelae after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Out-patients exhibiting long Covid may benefit from ambulatory rehabilitation which is, to date, poorly documented.

Methods: A longitudinal follow-up over a one-year period was conducted in two ambulatory rehabilitation structures in order to describe the characteristics of real-life patients referred with Covid-19 sequelae and their evolution over the course of rehabilitation.

Results: 39 consecutive patients were included from April 1st, 2020 to April 1st, 2021. Patients were middle-aged (48 ± 15yr), without comorbidities, and mostly mild to moderate SARS-CoV-2 infection (25(64%) not requiring hospitalisation). Rehabilitation referral was considered with a median delay of 73[34-178] days after disease onset. Most prevalent symptoms were dyspnoea (n = 35(90%)) and fatigue (n = 30(77%)). Hyperventilation syndrome was highly frequent (n = 12(34%)). 29(74%) patients presented with prolonged functional sequelae, which was associated with younger age (43 ± 14 vs. 50 ± 10yr; p = 0.002), greater prevalence of hyperventilation syndrome (n = 12(41%) vs. 0(0%); p = 0.255) and poorer quality of life (VQ-11; 31 ± 10 vs. 23 ± 9; p = 0.030). Over the course of rehabilitation, exertional dyspnoea, 6-min walking distance, 3-min sit-to-stand test, hyperventilation syndrome prevalence and quality of life significantly improved.

Conclusion: Hyperventilation is frequent in long Covid and may explain persistent dyspnoea as well as altered quality of life. Our data support screening of hyperventilation syndrome and functional impairment in mild Covid-19 out-patients as both of these components may improve with ambulatory rehabilitation.

Keywords: Ambulatory physiotherapy; Hyperventilation syndrome; Long Covid; Post-Covid-19 syndrome; Respiratory rehabilitation.

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Conflict of interest statement

MZ reports grants and personal fees from Boehringer Ingelheim, personal fees from Novartis, personal fees from Chiesi, personal fees from Astra Zeneca and personal fees from GSK outside the submitted work. FB reports personal fees and non-financial support from Novartis, personal fees and non-financial support from Chiesi, grants, personal fees and non-financial support from AstraZeneca, outside the submitted work.PH reports non-financial support from Avad, outside the submitted work. Other authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Chronology of inclusions for each individual from April 1st, 2020 to April 1st, 2021.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Flow diagram of the study.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Patients' distribution according rehabilitation duration.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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