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. 2023 Oct 1;27(10):729-741.
doi: 10.5588/ijtld.23.0248.

Clinical standards for diagnosis, treatment and prevention of post-COVID-19 lung disease

Affiliations

Clinical standards for diagnosis, treatment and prevention of post-COVID-19 lung disease

D Visca et al. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. .

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The aim of these clinical standards is to provide guidance on 'best practice' care for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of post-COVID-19 lung disease.METHODS: A panel of international experts representing scientific societies, associations and groups active in post-COVID-19 lung disease was identified; 45 completed a Delphi process. A 5-point Likert scale indicated level of agreement with the draft standards. The final version was approved by consensus (with 100% agreement).RESULTS: Four clinical standards were agreed for patients with a previous history of COVID-19: Standard 1, Patients with sequelae not explained by an alternative diagnosis should be evaluated for possible post-COVID-19 lung disease; Standard 2, Patients with lung function impairment, reduced exercise tolerance, reduced quality of life (QoL) or other relevant signs or ongoing symptoms ≥4 weeks after the onset of first symptoms should be evaluated for treatment and pulmonary rehabilitation (PR); Standard 3, The PR programme should be based on feasibility, effectiveness and cost-effectiveness criteria, organised according to local health services and tailored to an individual patient's needs; and Standard 4, Each patient undergoing and completing PR should be evaluated to determine its effectiveness and have access to a counselling/health education session.CONCLUSION: This is the first consensus-based set of clinical standards for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of post-COVID-19 lung disease. Our aim is to improve patient care and QoL by guiding clinicians, programme managers and public health officers in planning and implementing a PR programme to manage post-COVID-19 lung disease.

CONTEXTE :: L’objectif de ces normes cliniques est de fournir des conseils sur les « meilleures pratiques » en matière de diagnostic, de traitement et de prévention des maladies pulmonaires post-COVID-19.

MÉTHODES :: Un groupe d’experts internationaux représentant des sociétés scientifiques, des associations et des groupes actifs dans le domaine des maladies pulmonaires post-COVID-19 a été constitué ; 45 d’entre eux ont participé à un processus Delphi. Une échelle de Likert en 5 points a permis d’indiquer le niveau d’accord avec les projets de normes. La version finale a été approuvée par consensus (100% d’accord).

RÉSULTATS :: Quatre normes cliniques ont été approuvées pour les patients ayant des antécédents de COVID-19 : Norme 1, les patients présentant des séquelles non expliquées par un autre diagnostic doivent être évalués en vue d’une éventuelle maladie pulmonaire post-COVID-19 ; Norme 2, les patients présentant une altération de la fonction pulmonaire, une diminution de la tolérance à l’effort, une réduction de la qualité de vie (QoL) ou d’autres signes pertinents ou des symptômes persistants, quatre semaines ou plus après l’apparition des premiers symptômes, doivent être évalués en vue d’un traitement et d’une réadaptation pulmonaire (PR, de l’anglais ‘pulmonaire rehabilitation’) ; Norme 3, le programme de PR doit être basé sur des critères de faisabilité, d’efficacité et de rentabilité, organisé en fonction des services de santé locaux et adapté aux besoins individuels des patients ; et Norme 4, chaque patient qui suit et termine un programme de PR doit être évalué pour déterminer son efficacité et avoir accès à une session de conseil/éducation à la santé.

CONCLUSION :: Il s’agit du premier ensemble consensuel de normes cliniques pour le diagnostic, le traitement et la prévention des maladies pulmonaires post-COVID-19. Notre objectif est d’améliorer les soins et la qualité de vie des patients en guidant les cliniciens, les responsables de programmes et les responsables de la santé publique dans la planification et la mise en œuvre d’un programme de relations publiques pour la prise en charge des maladies pulmonaires post-COVID-19.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest: none declared.

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