{
  "abstract": "Introduction Persistent respiratory symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 infection are common even in those who were not hospitalised. A local registry for COVID-19 recovery research was created to profile individuals referred to a respiratory clinic with persistent respiratory symptoms and to identify associated factors. This report details a cross-sectional analysis of referred patients who consented.Methods Participants (mean age: 49.4 years, 68% female) were 210 non-hospitalised adults referred to a post COVID-19 respiratory clinic with respiratory symptoms. Demographics, symptoms, and questionnaires to assess breathlessness (MRC dyspnoea scale grade ≥ 3), dysregulated breathing (Nijmegen score > 23), fatigue (Chalder Fatigue total score ≥ 4), and anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS] scores ≥ 8) were collected. Multivariable logistic regression models examined predictors of breathlessness and dysregulated breathing.Results Shortness of breath was the most commonly reported persistent respiratory symptom (95%), followed by dry and productive cough. Other common persistent symptoms included fatigue, low mood, muscle aches, anxiety and malaise, with many patients reporting multiple symptoms. The majority of participants showed indications of breathing dysregulation (68%), anxiety (64%), depression (53%), and poor sleep quality (85%). Higher body mass index (adjusted odds ratio = 1.10, 95% confidence interval = 1.05 to 1.16) and a HADS-Depression score ≥ 8 (2.25, 1.13 to 4.56) were associated with breathlessness. Factors significantly associated with a higher risk of dysregulated breathing (Nijmegen score > 23) were female sex (3.69, 1.79 to 7.78), current smoking (9.96, 1.72 to 191.0), fatigue (8.54, 2.49 to 35.70), a HADS-Anxiety score ≥ 8 (3.48, 1.65 to 7.53) and a HADS-Depression score ≥ 8 (5.88, 2.67 to 13.80).Conclusion Higher BMI, current smoking, fatigue, anxiety, and depression at assessment were linked with breathing dysregulation and/or breathlessness post-COVID. These findings underscore the need for integrated pathways that use a multidisciplinary and personalised approach to optimise recovery.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK"
      ],
      "name": "M Hamrouni"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK"
      ],
      "name": "S Prosper"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK"
      ],
      "name": "S Middleton"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK"
      ],
      "name": "T Harvey-Dunstan"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK"
      ],
      "name": "J Porte"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK"
      ],
      "name": "A Gupta"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK"
      ],
      "name": "IP Hall"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK"
      ],
      "name": "TM McKeever"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK"
      ],
      "name": "CE Bolton"
    }
  ],
  "title": "S28 Factors associated with breathlessness and dysregulated breathing post-COVID-19 amongst referrals to a respiratory clinic",
  "uid": "4f59600f-2e48-56f3-b2c6-02da0a3bd598"
}