Long-term effect of corticosteroid treatment during acute COVID-19 infection on pulmonary function test results

Liora Boehm Cohen, Yael Raviv, Walid Shalata, Michael Kasirer, Anat Reiner Benaim

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background: The outbreak of the novel coronavirus 19 has led to unprecedented clinical challenges globally. Various therapeutic and pharmacologic interventions have been proposed, yet evidence of their long-term efficacy remains limited. Corticosteroids (CS) have shown efficacy in the sub-acute phase of the pandemic. This study aims to evaluate the long-term effects on pulmonary function tests (PFTs) in patients treated with CS during acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted from February 2020 to March 2021. Clinical and demographic data were extracted from electronic medical records of patients attending the post-COVID outpatient clinic at the Pulmonary Institute of Soroka University Medical Center. A multivariate linear mixed effects model was employed to obtain adjusted estimates for the impact over time. Results: The study included 405 patients, of whom 155 (38.3%) received CS treatment. Approximately 60% completed two or more follow-up visits. PFTs [forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC)] returned to baseline more rapidly (0.9% and 0.85% per month, respectively) in patients treated with CS. This accelerated recovery was observed across all patients, including those with a body mass index (BMI) above 30 kg/m2 and those with known chronic lung disease. Conclusions: Systemic CS treatment during acute COVID-19 infection was associated with a faster recovery of PFTs during long-term follow-up, even among subgroups at higher risk of long-term pulmonary damage.

Original languageAmerican English
Pages (from-to)4994-5004
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Thoracic Disease
Volume16
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - 31 Aug 2024

Keywords

  • Corticosteroid (CS)
  • coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
  • infection
  • pulmonary

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine

Cite this