Post-hospitalisation respiratory and physical functions in patients with SARS-CoV-2 delta

BACKGROUND Despite growing concern regarding the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) delta variant of concern (VOC), the respiratory and physical functions of patients with delta VOC post-discharge have not been investigated compared to those of patients with ancestral SARS-CoV-2. METHODS Sixty-three discharged patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) were included. Patients were divided into delta VOC and ancestral SARS-CoV-2 groups. On Day 14 post-discharge, differences in chest computed tomography, modified Medical Research Council and Borg Dyspnoea Scale scores, and Manual Muscle Test scores were compared. Prognoses of respiratory and physical function were compared between patients who recovered from moderate and severe COVID-19. RESULTS Of the 63 patients, respectively 28 and 35 were in the delta VOC and ancestral SARS-CoV-2 groups. On Day 14 post-discharge, 35 patients (56.5%) had abnormalities on imaging. Visual semi-quantitative scores of both lungs were significantly higher in the severe group. However, there was no difference in this or any other score ratings between the groups. CONCLUSION At 14 days post-discharge, ground glass opacities and pleural thickening were the most common residual findings; no difference in respiratory and physical functions during the convalescence period were noted in patients with SARS-CoV-2 delta VOC and ancestral SARS-CoV-2.