A secondary analysis of 572 post-COVID-19 adults found impaired DLCO in 145, about one-quarter of the sample. Multivariable analysis retained age, sex and total lung capacity; age had an adjusted OR of 1.025 and TLC 0.603. Apparent discrimination was modest-to-acceptable (AUC 0.710) in the development data. These are exploratory associations, not an externally validated prediction tool.
Key findings
- 145 of 572 patients had impaired DLCO. • Age, sex and TLC remained associated in multivariable analysis. • The AUC of 0.710 was apparent performance without external validation.
Why this matters globally
The findings may help prioritize post-COVID lung assessment, but should not guide individual decisions or imply causality before external validation.
Thai researcher contribution
A University of Phayao team analyzes multicenter data to link clinical characteristics with post-COVID pulmonary recovery.
Limitations to consider
This secondary analysis lacks an external validation cohort and detailed timing in the abstract; sex coding must be checked in the full text before interpreting the OR direction.
Verify the original sources
Canadian Journal of Respiratory TherapyCanadian Journal of Respiratory Therapy↗DOI: 10.29390/001c.164115