Long COVID and Post-exertional Pulmonary Diffusion

Aim of investigators was to study whether abnormalities of lung diffusing capacity for nitric oxide (DLNO) and carbon monoxide (DLCO) in long COVID may have a clinical impact in relation to exercise intolerance.

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Key information

Conditions

Long COVID Alveolar Lung Disease Breathlessness COVID-19 Chronic Disease Coronaviridae Infections Coronavirus Infections Disease Attributes Dyspnea Exercise Intolerance Infections Lung Diseases Nidovirales Infections Pathologic Processes Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Pneumonia Pneumonia, Viral Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome Post-Infectious Disorders Pulmonary Gas Exchange RNA Virus Infections Respiration Disorders Respiratory Tract Diseases Respiratory Tract Infections Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms, Respiratory Virus Diseases

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Ospedale Policlinico San Martino IRCCS - S.S. Fisiopatologia Respiratoria

Genoa, 16132, Italy

About this study

Prolonged recovery from acute coronavirus disease 2019 (long COVID) is characterized in about 30% of subjects from breathlessness and fatigue also during daily activities often associated to decreased lung diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) at rest. Aim of investigators was to study whether abnormalities of lung diffusing capacity for nitric oxide (DLNO) and DLCO in long COVID may have a clinical impact in relation to exercise intolerance. Combined DLNO and DLCO were simultaneously measured at rest and immediately after a short bout of treadmill walking in 32 dyspneic subjects ≥3 months after the COVID-19 acute phase. A group of healthy subjects served as a control group.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

History of dyspnea, fatigue, and exercise intolerance persisting or occurring at least 3 months after the COVID-19 acute phase and lasting ≥2 months.

Exclusion criteria

History of diseases potentially causing dyspnea or affecting pulmonary gas transport, i.e., bronchial asthma, lung bullous disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary interstitial fibrosis or vasculitis, hematological diseases, systemic collagen diseases, congestive heart failure, liver or renal diseases, and morbid obesity.

Treatment and study plan

Lung volumes, spirometry and standard single-breath DLCO were measured at rest while combined DLNO and DLCO were measured at rest and post-exercise

Diagnostic Test

DLNO and DLCO were measured at rest and 5-10 s after a bout of treadmill exercise simulating usual walking

Primary outcomes

Combined DLNO and DLCO changes after mild exercise

Time frame: through study completion, an average of 6 months

pulmonary gas exchange abnormalities in dyspneic long COVID subjects

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino - IST Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Genoa, Italy

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Lung Diffusing Capacities for Nitric Oxide and Carbon Monoxide in Long COVID With Dyspnea at Rest and After Mild Exercise

Acronym: Long_COVID_Ex

Important dates

Study start: 2022
Primary completion: 2022
Study completion: 2022
First posted: Jun 24, 2022
Registry last updated: Jun 24, 2022

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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Completed