L J Nannini, N S Neumayer, N Brandan, O M Fernández, D M Flores
{"title":"Asthma-related hospitalizations after implementing SABA-free asthma management with a maintenance and anti-inflammatory reliever regimen.","authors":"L J Nannini, N S Neumayer, N Brandan, O M Fernández, D M Flores","doi":"10.1080/20018525.2022.2110706","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/20018525.2022.2110706","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Overreliance on short-acting β<sub>2</sub>-agonists (SABA) has been a common feature of asthma management globally for at least 30 years. However, given the evidence against the long-term use of SABA, including potentially increased risk of exacerbations, emergency room visits, overall healthcare resource utilization, and mortality, the latest Global Initiative for Asthma report no longer recommends SABA only therapy. Since 2014, we implemented an ICS-containing reliever strategy at our asthma center at the G Baigorria Hospital in Argentina; we only administered budesonide/formoterol via a single inhaler device across the spectrum of asthma severity and completely eliminated the use of SABA therapy. In this article, we compare hospitalization data from our center, previously reported in the EAGLE study (when inhaled corticosteroids plus as-needed SABA was administered) for the years 1999 and 2004 with data from 2017 to 2018 (when budesonide/formoterol in a single inhaler device was administered as maintenance and/or anti-inflammatory reliever therapy [MART/AIR] without any SABA) from our center, to assess the impact of two distinct asthma management strategies on asthma-related hospitalizations. MART/AIR regimens in our SABA-free center reduced asthma hospitalizations from 9 (1999 and 2004) to 1 (2017 and 2018) (Fisher's exact test, p = 0.031; odds ratio = 0.11; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.013-0.98); the hospitalization rate was reduced by 92% (1.47% in 1999 and 2004 to 0.12% in 2017 and 2018). Our data provide preliminary real-world evidence that MART/AIR with budesonide/formoterol simultaneously with SABA elimination across asthma severities is an effective asthma management strategy for reducing asthma-related hospitalizations.</p>","PeriodicalId":11872,"journal":{"name":"European Clinical Respiratory Journal","volume":" ","pages":"2110706"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2022-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/29/1d/ZECR_9_2110706.PMC9361757.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"40606229","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Frederik Schultz Pustelnik, Christian B Laursen, Arman Arshad, Ahmed Aziz
{"title":"Permanent indwelling catheter for the management of refractory malignant pericardial effusion.","authors":"Frederik Schultz Pustelnik, Christian B Laursen, Arman Arshad, Ahmed Aziz","doi":"10.1080/20018525.2022.2095720","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/20018525.2022.2095720","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In this case report, we describe the novel use of a permanent indwelling catheter (PiC) in the management of refractory malignant pericardial effusion (PE). The patient had disseminated lung cancer and was hospitalised repeatedly with circulatory collapse due to malignant PE despite treatments with pericardiocentesis (PCC) and a pericardial window (PW). The PiC was inserted as a last resort with no complications and was a mediator of pericardiodesis (PCD), resulting in the cease of PE. The PiC could subsequently be removed, and there was no relapse of PE.</p>","PeriodicalId":11872,"journal":{"name":"European Clinical Respiratory Journal","volume":" ","pages":"2095720"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2022-07-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/7b/63/ZECR_9_2095720.PMC9291668.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"40609052","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
E Arellano-Orden, C Calero Acuña, V Sánchez-López, C López Ramírez, R Otero-Candelera, C Marín-Hinojosa, Jl López Campos
{"title":"Cellular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of airway remodeling in chronic lung disease.","authors":"E Arellano-Orden, C Calero Acuña, V Sánchez-López, C López Ramírez, R Otero-Candelera, C Marín-Hinojosa, Jl López Campos","doi":"10.1080/20018525.2022.2097377","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/20018525.2022.2097377","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Airway epithelial cells and lung fibroblasts play an important role in the development of chronic lung disease, but the exact mechanisms responsible have not been clarified. Our objective was to investigate the involvement of these cells in the inflammatory response associated to chronic lung disease.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Human lung fibroblasts and airway epithelial cells were challenged with Interleukin-1β and hypoxia, and with inhibitory (simvastatin) stimuli of the inflammatory response. Expression of markers of local inflammation ((IL-8, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), factor-κB1 (NF-κB1)), systemic inflammation ((C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid A (SAA)) and proteases matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 9 and 12 were assessed by PCR and ELISA. Apoptosis/necrosis was analyzed by flow cytometry.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Our results showed that the lung fibroblasts had a higher expression of local and systemic inflammation and protease activity markers when they were treated with IL-1β compared to airway epithelial cells. Under hypoxic conditions, we observed a decrease in systemic inflammation in lung fibroblasts, which was further attenuated by simvastatin.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The lung fibroblasts seem to be the main initially stimulated cells that could potentially trigger the inflammatory response, and be responsible for the eventual onset of chronic lung disease. The involvement of IL-1ß stimulation in systemic inflammatory and proteinase imbalance biomarkers is higher in lung fibroblasts. Apoptosis is not a predominant mechanism in these cells.</p>","PeriodicalId":11872,"journal":{"name":"European Clinical Respiratory Journal","volume":" ","pages":"2097377"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2022-07-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/1a/a0/ZECR_9_2097377.PMC9272929.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"40591758","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jarkko Mäntylä, Witold Mazur, Tanja Törölä, Paula Bergman, Paula Kauppi
{"title":"In bronchiectasis, poor physical capacity correlates with poor quality of life.","authors":"Jarkko Mäntylä, Witold Mazur, Tanja Törölä, Paula Bergman, Paula Kauppi","doi":"10.1080/20018525.2022.2095104","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/20018525.2022.2095104","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Patients with bronchiectasis (BE) who suffer frequent exacerbations are likely to experience negative effects on quality of life (QoL) and require more healthcare utilization. We aimed to discover, in a cohort of Finnish BE patients, those risk factors that influence QoL.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Non-cystic fibrosis BE patients of a Helsinki University Hospital cohort were examined with high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the chest. They completed a disease-specific quality of life-bronchiectasis (QoL-B) questionnaire in Finnish translation. We considered scores in the lowest quarter (25%) of that QoL-B scale to indicate poor QoL. The bronchiectasis severity index (BSI), FACED score, and modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnoea scale were used.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Overall, of 95 adult BE patients, mean age was 69 (SD ± 13) and 79% were women. From the cohort, 82% presented with chronic sputum production and exacerbations, at a median rate of 1.7 (SD ± 1.6). The number of exacerbations (OR 1.7), frequent exacerbations (≥3 per year) (OR 4.9), high BSI score (OR 1.3), and extensive disease (≥3 lobes) (OR 3.7) were all predictive of poor QoL. Frequent exacerbations were associated with bronchial bacterial colonisation, low forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), and radiological disease severity. Based on the BSI, 34.1% of our cohort had severe disease, with 11.6% classified as severe according to their FACED score. The mMRC dyspnoea score (<i>r</i> = -0.57) and BSI (<i>r</i> = -0.60) correlated, in the QoL-B questionnaire, negatively with physical domain.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The strongest determinants of poor QoL in the cohort of Finnish BE patients were frequent exacerbations, radiological disease severity, and high BSI score. Neither comorbidities nor BE aetiology appeared to affect QoL. Reduced physical capacity correlated with dyspnoea and severe disease.</p><p><strong>Study registration: </strong>University of Helsinki, Faculty of Medicine, 148/16.08.2017.</p>","PeriodicalId":11872,"journal":{"name":"European Clinical Respiratory Journal","volume":" ","pages":"2095104"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2022-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/5e/09/ZECR_9_2095104.PMC9255225.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"40594319","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ana Catarina da Silva Alfaiate, Vera Maria Rêgo Durão, Joana Seabra Patrício, Maria Paula Pedrosa Silva Duarte
{"title":"Apical fibrobullous lung disease in ankylosing spondylitis: case report and literature review","authors":"Ana Catarina da Silva Alfaiate, Vera Maria Rêgo Durão, Joana Seabra Patrício, Maria Paula Pedrosa Silva Duarte","doi":"10.1080/20018525.2022.2086359","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/20018525.2022.2086359","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is associated with several unique pulmonary manifestations such as apical fibrobullous disease (AFBD), which is a rare extra-spinal complication, predominantly occurring in advanced disease. Infectious complications and differential diagnosis of cavitated lung lesions may be challenging, particularly in patients already submitted to immunosuppression. In this report, we present a low body-mass-index 47-year-old male patient, ex-smoker, with AS and severe joint involvement, medicated in the past with anti-TNF-α therapy, who was diagnosed with AFBD and developed pulmonary tuberculosis and later chronic cavitary pulmonary aspergillosis. The patient died due to lung cavity major bleeding.","PeriodicalId":11872,"journal":{"name":"European Clinical Respiratory Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2022-06-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42280894","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
L. Lehtimäki, M. Arvidsson, B. Erdemli, C. Nan, T. Nguyen, Aditya Samant, G. Telg
{"title":"Regional variation in intensity of inhaled asthma medication and oral corticosteroid use in Denmark, Finland, and Sweden","authors":"L. Lehtimäki, M. Arvidsson, B. Erdemli, C. Nan, T. Nguyen, Aditya Samant, G. Telg","doi":"10.1080/20018525.2022.2066815","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/20018525.2022.2066815","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Oral corticosteroids (OCS) are often prescribed to patients with asthma that remains uncontrolled with maintenance therapy. We performed a real-world analysis to describe the geographic distributions of patients with asthma and OCS dispensed in Nordic countries. This observational, retrospective study examined patient-level data from nationally prescribed drug registries from January to December 2018 for individuals aged ≥12 years in Denmark, Finland, and Sweden. Using an algorithm based on asthma treatment combinations defined by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA), we identified patients with asthma, those on GINA Step 4–5 treatments, and those being dispensed ≥2 courses of OCS and determined volumes of OCS dispensed to these patients over the 1-year analysis period. Data were plotted geographically within each country using colour-coded heat maps. The overall asthma prevalence rates were 7.4% in Denmark, 11.6% in Finland, and 8.1% in Sweden. In Denmark, Finland, and Sweden, respectively, the frequencies of patients on GINA Step 4–5 treatments were 19%, 15%, and 16%; among whom 10%, 23%, and 5% received ≥2 courses of OCS. The rates of patients on GINA Step 4–5 treatments who were dispensed OCS in each country were 23%, 30%, and 46%, of which 22%, 17%, and 10% were dispensed doses averaging ≥5 mg/day over the year. Heat maps revealed considerable heterogeneity in geographic densities of patients with asthma and OCS claims within each country. Taken together, these results demonstrate regional variations in estimated asthma severity, control, and OCS dispensed within and between countries. Patterns of medication use suggest that a high proportion of patients in Denmark, Finland, and Sweden are on GINA Step 4–5 treatments, many of whom are dispensed OCS; this poses a considerable corticosteroid burden to these patients. Geographic differences in medication use within and between Nordic countries may reflect variations in population characteristics and/or treatment approaches.","PeriodicalId":11872,"journal":{"name":"European Clinical Respiratory Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2022-05-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45265088","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"NLC Abstracts","authors":"V. Backer, O. Hilberg, C. Ulrik","doi":"10.1080/20018525.2022.2058255","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/20018525.2022.2058255","url":null,"abstract":"Background: SARS-CoV-2 virus, causing Covid-19, continues to be a public health concern. Long-term sequela after infection with Covid-19 has been reported worldwide and holds the risk of becoming a major health concern. Ongoing symptoms more than 3 months after infection is now defined as long Covid. Fatigue and psychological distress are among the most common symptoms in long Covid. Aim: To investigate severe fatigue and psychological distress after hospitalization in patients with Covid-19. Methods: Patients hospitalized with Covid-19 in the Central Denmark Region were invited for follow-up 3- 6 months after discharge. Psychological distress was measured by Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) with a HADS score ≥8 identifying cases of anxiety and depression in the two subdomains. Fatigue was assessed using Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS) with a FAS ≥35 indicating severe fatigue. Basic characteristics from the hospitalization were registered. Results: A total of 218 patients (mean age 59.9 (95% CI 58.2, 61.7), 59% men) reported a mean HADS of 7.9 (95% CI 6.95, 8.93). Cases of anxiety and depression were found in 23 and 16% of all patients, respectively. Overall, a mean FAS of 25.6 (95% CI 24.3, 26.9) was found with 34 patients (18%) reporting severe fatigue. Patients with severe fatigue (mean age of 54.2 (95% CI 50.3, 58.1), 47% males), cases of anxiety and depression was reported by 59 and 62%, respectively. Analyses of FAS in subdomains on mental and physical fatigue showed mean scores of 19.3 (95% CI 18.5, 20.2) and 20.6 (95% CI 19.8, 21.5), respectively. Conclusion: Severe fatigue is common after hospitalization in patients with Covid-19 and includes both mental and physical fatigue. In addition, cases of anxiety and depression are common in patients with severe fatigue.","PeriodicalId":11872,"journal":{"name":"European Clinical Respiratory Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2022-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46539073","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
C. Janson, L. Bjermer, L. Lehtimäki, H. Kankaanranta, J. Karjalainen, A. Altraja, V. Yasinska, B. Aarli, M. Rådinger, J. Hellgren, Magnus Lofdahl, P. Howarth, C. Porsbjerg
{"title":"Eosinophilic airway diseases: basic science, clinical manifestations and future challenges","authors":"C. Janson, L. Bjermer, L. Lehtimäki, H. Kankaanranta, J. Karjalainen, A. Altraja, V. Yasinska, B. Aarli, M. Rådinger, J. Hellgren, Magnus Lofdahl, P. Howarth, C. Porsbjerg","doi":"10.1080/20018525.2022.2040707","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/20018525.2022.2040707","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Eosinophils have a broad range of functions, both homeostatic and pathological, mediated through an array of cell surface receptors and specific secretory granules that promote interactions with their microenvironment. Eosinophil development, differentiation, activation, survival and recruitment are closely regulated by a number of type 2 cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-5, the key driver of eosinophilopoiesis. Evidence shows that type 2 inflammation, driven mainly by interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5 and IL-13, plays an important role in the pathophysiology of eosinophilic airway diseases, including asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis and hypereosinophilic syndrome. Several biologic therapies have been developed to suppress type 2 inflammation, namely mepolizumab, reslizumab, benralizumab, dupilumab, omalizumab and tezepelumab. While these therapies have been associated with clinical benefits in a range of eosinophilic diseases, their development has highlighted several challenges and directions for future research. These include the need for further information on disease progression and identification of treatable traits, including clinical characteristics or biomarkers that will improve the prediction of treatment response. The Nordic countries have a long tradition of collaboration using patient registries and Nordic asthma registries provide unique opportunities to address these research questions. One example of such a registry is the NORdic Dataset for aSThmA Research (NORDSTAR), a longitudinal population-based dataset containing all 3.3 million individuals with asthma from four Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden). Large-scale, real-world registry data such as those from Nordic countries may provide important information regarding the progression of eosinophilic asthma, in addition to clinical characteristics or biomarkers that could allow targeted treatment and ensure optimal patient outcomes.","PeriodicalId":11872,"journal":{"name":"European Clinical Respiratory Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2022-03-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45328241","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Wasim Jamal, Muhammad Sharif, Asma Sayeed, Saad Ur Rehman, Abdulqadir J Nashwan
{"title":"Post-COVID-19 pneumonia pneumatoceles: a case report.","authors":"Wasim Jamal, Muhammad Sharif, Asma Sayeed, Saad Ur Rehman, Abdulqadir J Nashwan","doi":"10.1080/20018525.2022.2028423","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/20018525.2022.2028423","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Pneumatocele formation in COVID-19 pneumonia is arguably a common occurrence.</p><p><strong>Case presentation: </strong>We present a case of pneumatoceles, developing as a sequel of COVID-19 infection. We argue that pneumatocele formation in COVID-19 pneumonia is a common occurrence. Importantly pneumothorax, which can lead to a raised morbidity and mortality in these patients, can be a complication of a pneumatocele rupture.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>As pneumatocele in COVID-19 pneumonia patients can lead to life-threatening complications, we emphasize the need to formulate appropriate and standardized monitoring and management guidelines. Our literature review also discusses various plausible mechanisms leading to pneumatocele formation and points to management strategies that may prevent pneumatocele formation and its complications.</p>","PeriodicalId":11872,"journal":{"name":"European Clinical Respiratory Journal","volume":"9 1","pages":"2028423"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2022-01-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/16/a3/ZECR_9_2028423.PMC8765272.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39720889","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Marie Vejen, Ejvind Frausing Hansen, Bakir Nabil Ibrahim Al-Jarah, Casper Jensen, Pia Thaning, Klaus Nielsen Jeschke, Charlotte Suppli Ulrik
{"title":"Hospital admission for COVID-19 pneumonitis - long-term impairment in quality of life and lung function.","authors":"Marie Vejen, Ejvind Frausing Hansen, Bakir Nabil Ibrahim Al-Jarah, Casper Jensen, Pia Thaning, Klaus Nielsen Jeschke, Charlotte Suppli Ulrik","doi":"10.1080/20018525.2021.2024735","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/20018525.2021.2024735","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background and aim: </strong>Knowledge of long-term consequences of severe COVID-19 pneumonitis is of outmost importance. Our aim was, therefore, to assess the long-term impact on quality of life and lung function in adults hospitalized with severe COVID-19.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>All patients hospitalized with COVID-19 pneumonitis at Copenhagen University Hospital-Hvidovre, Denmark, were invited to participate in the study 4-5 months after discharge. Of the 160 invited 128 responded positively (80%). Medical history and symptoms were assessed, and patients rated impact on quality of life and functional status with EuroQol-5D-5L and Post Covid Functional Scale. Lung function was assessed by dynamic spirometry and measurement of diffusing capacity.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Fatigue, dyspnea, cough and cognitive dysfunction were the most common symptoms. Of 128 patients, 85% had at least one symptom, and 51% reported two or more symptoms. Self-rated Quality of life was impaired assessed by EuroQol 5D-5L, with dimensions 'Pain or discomfort' (61%) and 'Usual activities' (54%) mostly affected. Functional status was significantly worse than before COVID-19 assessed by Post-COVID Functional Scale. Among lung function parameters, diffusing capacity was most affected, with 45% having diffusing capacity < 80% of predicted.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Fatigue, respiratory symptoms and cognitive symptoms are highly common months after hospitalization for severe COVID-19. Compared to pre-COVID-19, functional status and usual activities continued to be impaired. In line with this, almost half of the patients were found to have impaired diffusing capacity.</p>","PeriodicalId":11872,"journal":{"name":"European Clinical Respiratory Journal","volume":"9 1","pages":"2024735"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2022-01-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/75/8c/ZECR_9_2024735.PMC8745367.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39906181","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}