E-ISSN 2231-3206 | ISSN 2320-4672
 

Original Research

Online Publishing Date:
26 / 08 / 2022

 


Post-COVID-19 pulmonary function tests in young health care workers in South Indian population – An observational study

Premananth P, Saravanan P S L, Nandhakumaran P, Anu S, Krithikalakshmi Sathiyamoorthy, Vijay Anto J.


Abstract
Background: The risk of exposure to COVID-19 pandemic was substantially higher in frontline young health care workers. Due to repeated exposure while treating patients, the viral load is exponentially higher than the other population. Lungs being the earliest organ to be affected carry more risk of long-term morbidity. Thus, pulmonary function tests (PFTs) on post-COVID young health care workers provide a better view on the impact, recovery and residual effects.

Aim and Objectives: The objectives of the study are as follows: (i) To assess the PFT in study group who have recovered from COVID-19 within the past 3 months; (ii) to compare their lung function with that of health care workers who have not been infected by COVID-19; and (iii) to determine obstructive, restrictive or mixed pulmonary changes if any in health care workers after 3 months of recovery.

Materials and Methods: This study involving 50 young health care workers was done in the department of pulmonary medicine for a period of 4 months between January and April 2021. The study (mild COVID-19 positive) control group involved 25 participants each. PFT and diffusing capacity of lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) were measured using computerized spirometer and single breath method. Results were analyzed using Shapiro–Wilk test, Independent sample t test, and Chi-square test.

Results: A statistically significant difference was observed among the subjects of case and control group with respect to the level of FEV1 (P < 0.05), FEV1/Forced vital capacity (FVC) (P < 0.01), and FEF. FVC, Peak expiratory flow (PEF), forced expiratory time, DLCO, and peak inspiratory flow (PIF) were not statistically different between the study and control group. (P > 0.05).The 3-month post recovery values were high in males when compared to females, except for PIF, PEF and FEV1%.

Conclusion: PFT and DLCO values were normal in young health care workers after 3 months of COVID-19 infection except for a decrease in FEF 25–75%.

Key words: Post–COVID-19; Health Care Workers; Pulmonary Function Tests Values


 
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How to Cite this Article
Pubmed Style

P P, L SPS, P N, S A, Sathiyamoorthy K, J VA. Post-COVID-19 pulmonary function tests in young health care workers in South Indian population – An observational study. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. 2023; 13(4): 714-719. doi:10.5455/njppp.2023.13.06260202217082022


Web Style

P P, L SPS, P N, S A, Sathiyamoorthy K, J VA. Post-COVID-19 pulmonary function tests in young health care workers in South Indian population – An observational study. https://www.njppp.com/?mno=52306 [Access: March 16, 2024]. doi:10.5455/njppp.2023.13.06260202217082022


AMA (American Medical Association) Style

P P, L SPS, P N, S A, Sathiyamoorthy K, J VA. Post-COVID-19 pulmonary function tests in young health care workers in South Indian population – An observational study. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. 2023; 13(4): 714-719. doi:10.5455/njppp.2023.13.06260202217082022



Vancouver/ICMJE Style

P P, L SPS, P N, S A, Sathiyamoorthy K, J VA. Post-COVID-19 pulmonary function tests in young health care workers in South Indian population – An observational study. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. (2023), [cited March 16, 2024]; 13(4): 714-719. doi:10.5455/njppp.2023.13.06260202217082022



Harvard Style

P, P., L, . S. P. S., P, . N., S, . A., Sathiyamoorthy, . K. & J, . V. A. (2023) Post-COVID-19 pulmonary function tests in young health care workers in South Indian population – An observational study. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol, 13 (4), 714-719. doi:10.5455/njppp.2023.13.06260202217082022



Turabian Style

P, Premananth, Saravanan P S L, Nandhakumaran P, Anu S, Krithikalakshmi Sathiyamoorthy, and Vijay Anto J. 2023. Post-COVID-19 pulmonary function tests in young health care workers in South Indian population – An observational study. National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 13 (4), 714-719. doi:10.5455/njppp.2023.13.06260202217082022



Chicago Style

P, Premananth, Saravanan P S L, Nandhakumaran P, Anu S, Krithikalakshmi Sathiyamoorthy, and Vijay Anto J. "Post-COVID-19 pulmonary function tests in young health care workers in South Indian population – An observational study." National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology 13 (2023), 714-719. doi:10.5455/njppp.2023.13.06260202217082022



MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

P, Premananth, Saravanan P S L, Nandhakumaran P, Anu S, Krithikalakshmi Sathiyamoorthy, and Vijay Anto J. "Post-COVID-19 pulmonary function tests in young health care workers in South Indian population – An observational study." National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology 13.4 (2023), 714-719. Print. doi:10.5455/njppp.2023.13.06260202217082022



APA (American Psychological Association) Style

P, P., L, . S. P. S., P, . N., S, . A., Sathiyamoorthy, . K. & J, . V. A. (2023) Post-COVID-19 pulmonary function tests in young health care workers in South Indian population – An observational study. National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 13 (4), 714-719. doi:10.5455/njppp.2023.13.06260202217082022