Correlação entre função respiratória e aptidão cardiorrespiratória em adultos e idosos com covid longa

Abstract

Introduction: Long Covid (LC) is defined as the persistence of signs and symptoms of Covid-19 for more than four weeks. Objective: Correlate respiratory function and cardiorespiratory fitness in adults and elderly people with CL. Method: This was a cross-sectional, prospective, multicenter study conducted with adults and elderly individuals with CL from the teaching clinics of Universidade Paulista–UNIP. A structured form with sociodemographic information and COVID-19 management was administered, and peak flow tests were performed to assess peak expiratory flow (PEF) and peak cough flow (PCF). Manovacuometry was performed to assess maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximum expiratory pressure (MEP). Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed using the one-minute sit-to-stand test (SST1) and the six-minute walk test (6MWT). Result: A total of 109 adults and elderly individuals with CL, median age 51 [21–90] years, 45% male, were included. A positive and moderate correlation was observed between the PCF and the percentage of the predicted 6MWT distance (p<0.001, r=0.500), and positive correlations were observed between PCF and PEF (p<0.001, r=0.640), PCF and MEP (p=0.041, r=0.198), PEF and MEP (p=0.016, r=0.280), and MIP and MEP (p<0.001, r=-0.769). Conclusion: A correlation was found between respiratory function and cardiorespiratory tests, in which the greater the PFT strength, the greater the distance covered in the 6MWT.