Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, and mechanical ventilation are risk factors for dyspnea in patients with long COVID: A Japanese nationwide cohort study

Emiko Matsuyama, Jun Miyata, Hideki Terai, Naoki Miyazaki, Toshiki Iwasaki, Kengo Nagashima, Mayuko Watase, Keeya Sunata, Ho Namkoong, Takanori Asakura, Katsunori Masaki, Shotaro Chubachi, Keiko Ohgino, Ichiro Kawada, Kazuhiro Minami, Rie Hagiwara, Soichiro Ueda, Takashi Yoshiyama, Hiroyuki Kokuto, Tatsuya KusumotoAyano Oashi, Masayoshi Miyawaki, Fumitake Saito, Tetsuo Tani, Kota Ishioka, Saeko Takahashi, Morio Nakamura, Makoto Ishii, Yasunori Sato, Koichi Fukunaga

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background: Patients often experience multiple prolonged symptoms following acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) recovery, defined as long coronavirus disease (COVID). Patients with long COVID may experience dyspnea during acute and post-acute phases. Therefore, this study aimed to identify specific risk factors for dyspnea in patients with long COVID. Methods: Hospitalized patients with COVID-19, aged ≥18 years, were enrolled in this multicenter cohort study conducted at 26 medical institutions across Japan. Clinical data during hospitalization and patient-reported outcomes after discharge at the 3, 6, and 12-month follow-ups were retrieved from medical records and paper-based or smartphone application-based questionnaires, respectively. Results: Generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) analysis of prolonged dyspnea at each time point during follow-up showed that this symptom was associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (odds ratio [OR], 2.74; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.31–5.74), asthma (OR, 2.21; 95%CI, 1.17–4.16), and ventilator management (OR, 3.10; 95%CI, 1.65–5.83). In addition, patients with COPD (44.4%) and ventilator management (25.0%) were more frequently associated with delayed dyspnea onset. The generalized estimating equations analysis results with multiple imputed datasets, conducted as a sensitivity analysis, confirmed the adjusted GLMM analysis results. Conclusions: Prolonged dyspnea was associated with COPD, asthma, and severe infection that required mechanical ventilation in the Japanese population with long COVID. Further investigation is needed to clarify its mechanism and develop prophylactic and therapeutic strategies for dyspnea in patients with long COVID.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1094-1101
Number of pages8
JournalRespiratory Investigation
Volume62
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024 Nov

Keywords

  • Asthma
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
  • Long COVID
  • Mechanical ventilation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine

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