Pulmonary function of patients with 2019 novel coronavirus induced pneumonia: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Abstract Background: Pulmonary fibrosis is a common complication in patients with viral pneumonia, which causes restricted ventilation disorders and affects the prognosis of patients. However, the pulmonary function of patients with 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19)-induced pneumonia has not yet been reported.Methods: A retrospective analysis of 137 patients with COVID-19-induced pneumonia who were discharged from the Enze Hospital, Taizhou Enze Medical Center (Group), from January 31, 2020, to March 11, 2020. Follow-up occurred two weeks after hospital discharge, whereupon patients received a pulmonary function test. Results: Of the 137 patients who received a pulmonary function test two weeks after discharge, 51.8% were male, and the mean age was 47 years. Only 19.7% of the patients were identified as having severe novel coronavirus pneumonia. The pulmonary function test showed that for a small number of patients ((FEV1/FVC)/% <70%,) the mean ICV and FVC was 2.4±0.7 L, 3.2±0.8 L, respectively. In severe cases, 88.9% of patients had an IVC <80% of the predicted value and 55.6% of patients had an FVC <80% of the predicted value. The MEF25, MEF50, and MEF75 <70% values were 55.6%, 40.7%, and 25.9%, respectively. In the non-severe group, 79.1% of patients has an IVC <80% of the predicted value, and 16.4% of patients had an FVC <80% of the predicted value. The mean MEF25, MEF50, and MEF75 <70% values were 57.3%, 30%, and 13.6%, respectively.Conclusions: In this study, the results suggest that the pulmonary function of patients with 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19)-induced pneumonia manifested as restrictive ventilation disorder and small airway obstruction. The incidence was increased among critically ill patients.Trial registration number: ChiCTR2000029866.