PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Maria Natividad Núñez-Seisdedos
AU  - David Valcárcel-Linares
AU  - María Teresa Gómez-González
AU  - Irene Lázaro-Navas
AU  - Luís López-González
AU  - Daniel Pecos-Martín
AU  - Isabel Rodríguez-Costa
TI  - Inspiratory muscle strength and function in mechanically ventilated COVID-19 survivors 3 and 6 months after intensive care unit discharge
AID  - 10.1183/23120541.00329-2022
DP  - 2023 Jan 01
TA  - ERJ Open Research
PG  - 00329-2022
VI  - 9
IP  - 1
4099  - http://openres.ersjournals.com/content/9/1/00329-2022.short
4100  - http://openres.ersjournals.com/content/9/1/00329-2022.full
SO  - erjor2023 Jan 01; 9
AB  - Background Knowledge regarding the long-term impact of invasive mechanical ventilation on the inspiratory muscles and functional outcomes in COVID-19 survivors is limited.Methods In this single-centre prospective cohort study, we evaluated invasively ventilated patients with COVID-19 pneumonia 3 and 6 months post-intensive care unit (ICU) discharge. Outcomes included: maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), ultrasound parameters for diaphragm function, 6-min walk distance (6MWD), dyspnoea and quality of life. We evaluated associations between MIP and duration of mechanical ventilation with follow-up outcomes.Results 50 COVID-19 survivors discharged from ICU between 15 October 2020 and 1 April 2021 were enrolled. Overall, survivors showed a recovery trajectory over time. However, impaired MIP remained in 24 (48%) and 12 (24%) at 3 and 6 months, respectively. Diaphragm dysfunction was not observed. At 3 months, 23 (46%) had impaired functional capacity versus 10 (20%) at 6 months. Dyspnoea persisted in 44 (88%) patients at 3 months and 38 (76%) at 6 months. Quality of life was slightly decreased at 3 months with further improvements at 6 months. MIP was correlated to 6MWD, 6MWD % predicted, dyspnoea across follow-up, and quality of life at 3 months. The duration of invasive ventilation was correlated with 6MWD and 6MWD % predicted.Conclusion In invasively ventilated COVID-19 survivors, inspiratory muscle strength impairments persisted 6 months after ICU discharge, while maintaining normal diaphragm function. Decreased functional capacity, dyspnoea and slightly reduced health status were observed. Early screening of survivors is of utmost importance to identify those with impairments and at risk of delayed or incomplete recovery.A proportion of #COVID19 survivors who undergo invasive mechanical ventilation show inspiratory muscle weakness 6 months after ICU discharge. Early screening and rehabilitation may be beneficial for optimal recovery after ICU discharge. https://bit.ly/3TepU29