Evaluation of Pulmonary Function Test in Post-COVID-19 Patients

Background and Objectives: SARS-CoV-2 emerged, leading to a global pandemic with significant morbidity and mortality. Lung injury is prevalent, raising concerns about long-term complications. Current data indicate persistent pulmonary function issues, particularly diffusion capacity, in survivors. Critical care needs and risk factors for poor outcomes are identified, but the full impact of post-COVID syndromes remains inadequately defined. Further research is essential to understand the long-term consequences of COVID-19. This study aims to evaluate pulmonary function tests in post-COVID-19 patients. Methods: A quantitative study was conducted on 74 post-COVID-19 patients in Erbil, Iraq, evaluating demographic and clinical characteristics. Data were collected via questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS, ensuring participant confidentiality and voluntary participation throughout the research process. Results: The study analyzed 74 post-COVID-19 patients, revealing demographics such as 55.4% aged 54-69 and a male predominance (63.5%). Common symptoms included cough (66.2%) and shortness of breath (73%). Half had high systolic blood pressure, and significant associations were found between severity and factors like age, SPO2, and pulmonary function tests. Conclusion: Spirometry patterns significantly correlate with the severity of post-COVID-19 symptoms, suggesting their value as prognostic markers. However, the study found no significant link between spirometry patterns and comorbidities, indicating a need for further research to explore these relationships and their implications for patient management.