Use of lung function tests in asthmatic children is associated with lower risk of hospitalization. A Danish population-based follow-up study

Abstract Background All over the world, SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia is causing a significant short-term morbidity and mortality, but the medium-term impact on lung function and quality of life of affected patients are still unknown. Methods In this prospective observational study, 39 patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia were recruited from a single COVID-19 hospital in Southern Switzerland. At three months patients underwent radiological and functional follow-up through CT scan, lung function tests, and 6 min walking test. Furthermore, quality of life was assessed through self-reported questionnaires. Results Among 39 patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia, 32 (82% of all participants) presented abnormalities in CT scan and 25 (64.1%) had lung function tests impairment at three months. Moreover, 31 patients (79.5%) reported a perception of poor health due to respiratory symptoms and all 39 patients showed an overall decreased quality of life. Conclusions Medium-term follow up at three months of patients diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia shows the persistence of abnormalities in CT scans, a significant functional impairment assessed by lung function tests and a decreased quality of life in affected patients. Further studies evaluating the long-term impact are warranted to guarantee an appropriate follow-up to patients recovering from SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia.

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Of smoking habit on respiratory function in young asthmatics: Follow-up study from 16-30 years of age

Srpski arhiv za celokupno lekarstvo ◽

10.2298/sarh06s2100r ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 134 (Suppl. 2) ◽

pp. 100-103

Author(s):

Snezana Radic ◽

Zorica Zivkovic ◽

Nada Erdeljan ◽

Spomenka Smiljanic ◽

Goran Lakovic

Keyword(s):

Lung Function ◽

Smoking Habit ◽

First Year ◽

Lung Function Tests ◽

Asthma Symptoms ◽

Function Tests ◽

Skin Prick Tests ◽

First Year Of Life ◽

Adolescent Period

INTRODUCTION. Smoking habit of 54 asthmatics was followed for 15 years. OBJECTIVE. To examine if there was any difference of lung function tests between smoking and nonsmoking young asthmatics METHOD. Based on questionnaires, clinical examinations, lung function tests and skin prick tests, 54 adolescents with asthma were separated out of 1134 pupils of one Belgrade high school. They were followed-up till the age of 30. RESULTS. 62.9% of subjects were females and 37.1% were males. Average age at the beginning was 16.3 and 29.6 at the end of study. In 13.0% of subjects, the asthma manifested in the first year of life, in 72.2% between 2-6 years of age and in 14.8% of our subjects, the asthma developed after 7th year. The symptoms of asthma in last 12 months were present in 54.8% of our subjects at the age of 16, compared to 77.8% of asthmatics with asthma symptoms at the age of 30. Percent of smokers increased cumulatively from 16.7% at the beginning of study up to 57.5% upon its completion. Number of cigarettes increased from 7.5% to 16.5% cig/day in a smoker from the adolescent period until the end of study, with no difference in relation to sex. Average duration of smoking experience was 11.5 years, no difference in relation to gender. Values of VC, FVC, FEV1, PEF and MEF75 were always lower in asthmatics-smokers, but with no statistical difference. Tiffeneau index, MEF25 and MEF50 were statistically lower in the smoking group at the age of 30 compared to their values at the age of 21. CONCLUSION. Smoking does affect lung function of asthmatics that started to smoke and Tiffeneu index, MEF25 and MEF50 were statistically lower as early as at the age of 30.

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