Dysfunctional breathing symptoms, functional impact and quality of life in patients with long COVID-19: a prospective case series

Abstract

Background: Dysfunctional breathing is increasingly recognised after SARS-CoV-2 infection, but the associated symptoms, functional impact and quality of life have not been systematically studied.

Methods: This study describes a prospective case series of 48 patients with dysfunctional breathing based on compatible symptoms and an abnormal breathing pattern during cardiopulmonary exercise testing. Patients with underlying disease that could explain these symptoms were excluded. Median time from COVID-19 to evaluation was 212 (IQR 121) days. Self-administered questionnaires, including the Nijmegen questionnaire, Short-Form (36) Health Survey (SF-36), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, modified Medical Research Council scale, post-COVID-19 Functional Scale, and specific long COVID symptoms, were the outcome measures.

Results: On average, mean V'O₂ was preserved. Pulmonary function tests were within limits of normality. Hyperventilation, periodic deep sighs/erratic breathing and mixed types of dysfunctional breathing were diagnosed in 20.8%, 47.1% and 33.3% of patients, respectively. After dyspnoea, the five most frequent symptoms using the Nijmegen scale with a cut-off of ≥3 were faster/deeper breathing (75.6%), palpitations (63.8%), sighs (48.7%), unable to breathe deeply (46.3%) and yawning (46.2%). Median Nijmegen and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale scores were 28 (IQR 20) and 16.5 (IQR 11), respectively. SF-36 scores were lower than the reference value.

Conclusions: Long COVID patients with dysfunctional breathing have a high burden of symptoms, functional impact and a low quality of life, despite no or negligible organic damage.

Keywords: COVID-19; Exercise; Respiratory Infection; Viral infection.

Figure 1

Flow chart of the study population. CPET, cardiopulmonary exercise testing; DB, dysfunctional breathing; COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Figure 2

Mean SF-36 values by domain, sex and dysfunctional breathing status. BP, bodily pain; GH, general health; MH, mental health; PF, physical functioning; RE, role limitations (emotional); RP, role limitations (physical); SF, social functioning; SF-36, 36 Short Form Health Survey; VT, vitality. Controls’ data were taken from a 2007 study on 2093 healthy never-smoker adults in Switzerland.