Introduction: COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has affected millions worldwide, leading to significant acute and long-term health challenges. Post-COVID syndrome often includes persistent respiratory symptoms and reduced lung function, with limited data from Bangladesh on these sequelae.
Aim: This study aimed to assess socio-demographic, clinical, vaccination status, and lung function parameters in patients following COVID-19 infection and assess the effects of these parameters on post-COVID symptoms.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from August 2022 to July 2023 on 1,000 RT-PCR-confirmed COVID-19 recovered patients aged e”18 years in Gazipur, Bangladesh. Data on demographics, comorbidities, vaccination status, and clinical symptoms were collected through structured interviews. Lung function was assessed using spirometry (FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC), and the six-minute walk test (6MWD). Data analysis was performed using SPSS with descriptive and inferential statistics.
Results: The cohort was predominantly male (56.1%) and married (77.1%), with most patients aged >50 years. Underweight prevalence was high (38.1%), and 30.6% were current smokers. Hypertension (17.7%) and diabetes (10.2%) were the most common comorbidities. Common symptoms included fever (92.7%), cough (88.3%), breathlessness (53.6%), and fatigue (49.7%). Only 22.9% were fully vaccinated. Spirometry showed reduced lung volumes (mean FEV1: 1.78 L, FVC: 2.49 L) with a mean FEV1/FVC ratio of 77.26%. The 6MWD averaged 325.46 m, indicating impaired exercise capacity.
Conclusion: Fever, cough, breathlessness, and fatigue were the most common symptoms of COVID-19 infection. Mean spirometric parameters and six-minute walk distance were reduced in patients with COVID-19 infection even 4 weeks after recovery. The majority of respondents (72.8%) had received at least one dose of vaccination against COVID-19.
Chest Heart J. 2024; 48(2) : 83-89
M. A. Rahman, Shamim Ahmed, R. Chakrabortty et al.· Chest & Heart Journal· 0 citations
Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a leading cause of chronic morbidity and mortality, with frequent exacerbations that can lead to acute respiratory failure. Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) is a key treatment for acute respiratory failure in COPD exacerbations. The Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) to serum albumin ratio has been proposed as a prognostic marker in various diseases, reflecting metabolic stress and systemic inflammation. Still, its association with the need for NIV in COPD exacerbations has not been widely studied.
Objective: This study aims to evaluate the association between the BUN/Albumin ratio and the need for NIV in patients with exacerbations of COPD.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the inpatient Department of Respiratory Medicine at the National Institute of Diseases of the Chest and Hospital (NIDCH), Dhaka, Bangladesh, from June 2023 to December 2024. A total of 116 patients diagnosed with exacerbations of COPD were enrolled. The BUN/Albumin ratio was measured for each patient, and the need for NIV was assessed. Data were analysed to determine if there was a significant association between the BUN/Albumin ratio and the requirement for NIV.
Results: The mean BUN/Albumin ratio was significantly higher in patients who required NIV (9.1±2.8) compared to those who did not (5.3±1.8, p = 0.001). A progressive increase in the BUN/Albumin ratio was observed with worsening severity of COPD exacerbations, with severe cases showing the highest ratios (9.5±2.9). Multivariate regression analysis showed that the BUN/Albumin ratio was significantly associated with the need for NIV (adjusted OR 19.629, 95% CI 13.976-27.561, p = 0.001).
Conclusion: The BUN/Albumin ratio is significantly associated with the need for NIV in patients with exacerbations of COPD. Elevated BUN/Albumin ratios may serve as a useful biomarker for identifying patients at higher risk for respiratory failure and may help guide early intervention in clinical practice.
Chest Heart J. 2025; 49(1) : 3-9
Md Shahjahan Ali, Mahmud Rahim, Rezaul Haque et al.· Chest & Heart Journal· 0 citations
Background: Forced Expiratory Volume in the first second (FEV1) from spirometry is essential in diagnosing and managing COPD. Early detection of severe COPD in primary care is vital for timely referral and treatment. Spirometry is often underutilized in rural areas due to limited resources. The Fifteen Steps Climbing Exercise Oximetry Test (15SCT) offers an alternative for assessing COPD severity.
Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of 15SCT in determining disease severity in stable COPD patients.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the National Institute of Diseases of the Chest and Hospital (NIDCH) from June 2022 to August 2023, involving 116 stable COPD patients. Spirometry confirmed COPD diagnosis and severity grading. Pulse, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation (SpO2) were measured pre- and post-15SCT. Data were analyzed using SPSS v.23, employing Paired t-test, Unpaired t-test, and ROC curve analysis.
Results: Patients (mean age 61.3±8.1 years; M:F = 22.2:1) showed moderate (50.0%), severe (43.1%), very severe (5.2%) and mild (1.7%) COPD. Most patients (52.6%) took 61-90 seconds for 15SCT. Post-15SCT SpO2 significantly decreased from baseline (92.9±2.3% vs. 96.3±1.3%; p<0.05). Patients with FEV1<50% had higher SpO2 reduction (4.37±1.12%) than those with FEV1 ³50% (2.51±0.96%). ROC analysis identified a ³3.5% SpO2 drop as indicative of severe airflow limitation with good sensitivity (80.4%), specificity (90.0%) positive predictive value (88.2%), and negative predictive value (83.1%).
Conclusion: Significant exercise-induced desaturation correlated with COPD severity, supporting 15SCT as a useful tool for predicting severe airflow limitation in stable COPD patients.
Chest Heart J. 2024; 48(1) : 12-18
Tasnuba Tahsin Tofa, Mahmud Rahim, Md Zahirul Islam et al.· Chest & Heart Journal· 0 citations
We use cookies to run the site and, with your consent, for analytics and to show ads.
See our Cookie Policy.
