Changes in respiratory function and physical performance in middle-aged and old inpatients recovering from COVID-19 after a rehabilitation program

Степень изменений дыхательной функции и физической подготовленности у пациентов, выздоравливающих после COVID-19, представляет интерес для реабилитационных мер. 56 пациентов (67 % - женщины), средний возраст - 64±11 лет, перенесшие COVID-19, прошли курс комплексной реабилитации (16,9±3,8 дня). После курса реабилитации пациенты показали улучшение дыхательной функции: проба Штанге - на 19 % (p=0,006), проба Генчи - на 25 % (p=0,026), улучшение самочувствия по результатам КТ легких (p<0,001); повышение физической подготовленности: скорость привычной ходьбы - на 80 % (р=0,025); толерантности к физической нагрузке: пройденное расстояние до первых признаков утомления - на 227 % (р<0,001), ЧСС в покое - на 1 % (р=0,011). Темпы изменений дыхательной функции и физической подготовленности были значительными и превышали подобные изменения, приводимые в литературе для относительно здоровых пожилых людей, которые приступают к физическим занятиям. Однако абсолютные показатели функции дыхания и физической подготовленности после реабилитационной программы были ниже нормированных значений для данного возраста. Данные результаты могут быть полезны для клиницистов при составлении программы реабилитации пациентов, перенёсших COVID-19. Changes in respiratory and physical performance in geriatric inpatients recovering from COVID-19 are of interest for rehabilitation interventions. 56 inpatients (67 % women), average age 64±11 years recovering from COVID-19 underwent a comprehensive rehabilitation program (16,9±3,8 days). After the rehabilitation program, the patients showed an improvement in respiratory function: voluntary breath-holding after inhalation - by 19 % (p=0,006), breath-holding after exhalation - by 25 % (p=0,026), lungs computed tomography (p<0,001); physical performance: handgrip strength - by 14 % (p=0,083), preferred walking speed - by 80 % (p=0,025); exercise tolerance: distance walked until the first signs of fatigue - by 227 % (p<0,001), resting heart rate - by 1 % (p=0,011). The interaction of rehabilitation time and patient sex was statically nonsignificant across all variables of interest. The rates of changes in respiratory function and physical performance were significant and exceeded similar changes recorded in healthy old people who begin an exercise program. However, in absolute values, respiratory function and physical performance values after the rehabilitation were lower than reference values for this age group. These results can be valuable for clinicians when designing a rehabilitation program for geriatric patients recovering from COVID-19.

Estimation of Breath Holding Time (BHT) among Dental Students

Background: Breath holding time is the time taken by an individual to hold his/her breath as long as they can. During voluntary breath holding, tissues continue to utilize oxygen and liberate carbon dioxide. Therefore, during breath holding arterial pO2 falls and pCO2 rises. Normal Breath holding time (BHT) is 45-55 seconds which is estimated at 2014. The main aim of this study is to assess the breath holding time among healthy dental students. Materials and Methods: A minimal number of sample sizes have been taken into account with regards to their BMI. The sample size was divided into two groups as gender comparison. Students were detail explained about the procedure and breath holding time has been measured. The statistical analysis was done by ANOVA test in SPSS Software-23 and an independent t-test was calculated. Results: BHT was found to be significantly low among females compared to males. A statistically significant negative correlation was observed when BHT is correlated with gender because BHT differs in both the gender. Conclusion: The present study revealed that breath holding time is less in females compared to males. Therefore, males are healthier than females.

Correlating Spirometric Parameters with Breath-Holding Time and Maximum Chest Expansion in Healthy Young Adults

The spirometric measurements are very sensitive, accurate and reliable parameters, which have diagnostic as well as prognostic values. We aimed to find the reliability of two simple measurements, namely chest expansion and voluntary breath holding, which are often suggested as tools for screening and monitoring of respiratory diseases. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on students of Nepal Medical College. Measurements of spirometry (forced vital capacity, FVC in liter; forced expiratory volume in first second, FEV1 in liter; and peak expiratory flow rate, PEF in liter persecond), cirtometry (average of maximum chest expansion, CE in centimeter), and breath-holding time (maximum voluntary apnea at end-inspiration, MVAIT and maximum voluntary apnea at end expiration, MVAET in second) were performed. Degrees of correlation (Pearson’s r) were determined between different parameters; setting level of significance at 95%. Total 308 students (M=164, 53.25%;F=144, 46.75%) participated. Owing to very highly significant differences between males and females, gender-separate correlations were determined. In males, CE correlation was very highly significant (p=0.000) with FVC and FEV1 but not with PEF. MVAET correlated significantly with FVC, FEV1 and PEF; MVAIT correlation was not significant with any parameters. In females, CE correlation was significant with FVC and FEV1 but not with PEF; MVAET and MVAIT correlations were not significant with any of the parameters. In conclusion, the correlation of CE with different spirometric parameters is significant but not very strong (0.3<r<0.5). Also, gender differences exist. Therefore, using CE and breath-holding time may not be appropriate to assess respiratory ventilatory function.