Objective: COVID-19 has been associated with a significant burden to those who survive the acute phase. We aimed to describe the quality of life and symptoms of anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at 90 days after hospital discharge of COVID-19 patients. Methods: Patients with COVID-19 admitted to a private hospital in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, between April of 2020 and April of 2021 were interviewed by telephone at 30 and 90 days after discharge to assess the quality of life and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Results: A total of 2,138 patients were included. The mean age was 58.6 ± 15.8 years, and the median length of hospital stay was 9.0 (5.0-15.8) days. Between the two time points, depression increased from 3.1% to 7.2% (p < 0.001), anxiety increased from 3.2% to 6.2% (p < 0.001), and PTSD increased from 2.3% to 5.0% (p < 0.001). At least one physical symptom related to COVID-19 diagnosis persisted in 32% of patients at day 90. Conclusions: Persistence of physical symptoms was high even at 90 days after discharge. Although the prevalence of symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD was low, these symptoms persisted for three months, with a significant increase between the time points. This finding indicates the need to identify at-risk patients so that they can be given an appropriate referral at discharge.

Keywords: COVID-19; Anxiety; Depression; Stress disorders, post-traumatic; Quality of life; Critical care outcomes.

Objective: Early tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment are determinants of better outcomes and effective disease control. Although tuberculosis should ideally be managed in a primary care setting, a proportion of patients are diagnosed in emergency facilities (EFs). We sought to describe patient characteristics by place of tuberculosis diagnosis and determine whether the place of diagnosis is associated with treatment outcomes. A secondary objective was to determine whether municipal indicators are associated with the probability of tuberculosis diagnosis in EFs. Methods: We analyzed data from the São Paulo State Tuberculosis Control Program database for the period between January of 2010 and December of 2013. Newly diagnosed patients over 15 years of age with pulmonary, extrapulmonary, or disseminated tuberculosis were included in the study. Multiple logistic regression models adjusted for potential confounders were used in order to evaluate the association between place of diagnosis and treatment outcomes. Results: Of a total of 50,295 patients, 12,696 (25%) were found to have been diagnosed in EFs. In comparison with the patients who had been diagnosed in an outpatient setting, those who had been diagnosed in EFs were younger and more socially vulnerable. Patients diagnosed in EFs were more likely to have unsuccessful treatment outcomes (adjusted OR: 1.54; 95% CI: 1.42-1.66), including loss to follow-up and death. At the municipal level, the probability of tuberculosis diagnosis in EFs was associated with low primary care coverage, inequality, and social vulnerability. In some municipalities, more than 50% of the tuberculosis cases were diagnosed in EFs. Conclusions: In the state of São Paulo, one in every four tuberculosis patients is diagnosed in EFs, a diagnosis of tuberculosis in EFs being associated with poor treatment outcomes. At the municipal level, an EF diagnosis of tuberculosis is associated with structural and socioeconomic indicators, indicating areas for improvement.

Keywords: Tuberculosis/diagnosis; Emergency treatment; Treatment outcome; Delivery of health care.

Objective: The present study aimed to assess the functional status of children diagnosed with COVID-19 at the time of hospitalization and the associations with clinical features. Methods: This prospective cohort study was carried out with children diagnosed with COVID-19 admitted to a tertiary hospital. The patients' functioning was assessed using the pediatric Functional Status Scale (FSS). Results: A total of 62 children with a median age of 3 years old were included in the study, and 70% had some comorbidity prior to the diagnosis of COVID-19. The median length of stay was nine days, during which period five patients died. The FSS assessment of the sample showed that approximately 55% had some functional alteration. The group of patients with the highest FSS scores presented a lengthier hospital stay (p = 0.016), required more oxygen therapy (p < 0.001), mechanical ventilation (p = 0.001), and intensive care unit admissions (p = 0.019), and had more cardiac (p = 0.007), neurological (p = 0.003), and respiratory (p = 0.013) comorbidities. In the multivariate analysis, there was an association between the dependent variable length of stay and the total FSS score (b = 0.349, p = 0.004) and the presence of comorbidities (b = 0.357, p = 0.004). Conclusions: We observed that more than half of the children hospitalized due to COVID-19 had some level of functional change. Greater alterations in functional status were associated with the presence of previous comorbidities, a greater need for ventilatory support, and longer hospital stays.

Keywords: COVID-19, coronavirus, pediatrics, physical functional performance, functional status.

Objective: There is still limited information on the clinical characteristics and outcomes of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients with COVID-19 in Brazil. The objective of this study was to describe the cumulative incidence of COVID-19 in CF patients, as well as their clinical characteristics and outcomes. Methods: This was a prospective cohort study involving unvaccinated adult CF patients and conducted during the first year of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in the city of Porto Alegre, in southern Brazil. The clinical course of the disease was rated on the WHO Ordinal Scale for Clinical Improvement. The primary outcome was the number of incident cases of COVID-19. Results: Between April 30, 2020 and April 29, 2021, 98 CF patients were included in the study. Seventeen patients were diagnosed with COVID-19. For the CF patients, the annual cumulative incidence of COVID-19 was 17.3%, similar to that for the general population, adjusted for age (18.5%). The most common symptoms at diagnosis of COVID-19 were cough (in 59%), dyspnea (in 53%), fatigue (in 53%), and fever (in 47%). Only 6 (35%) of the patients required hospitalization, and 3 (17.6%) required oxygen support. Only 1 patient required mechanical ventilation, having subsequently died. Conclusions: During the first year of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in southern Brazil, the cumulative incidence rate of COVID-19 was similar between CF patients and the general population. More than 50% of the CF patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection had a mild clinical presentation, without the need for hospital admission, and almost the entire sample recovered completely from the infection, the exception being 1 patient who had advanced lung disease and who died.

Keywords: Cystic fibrosis; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of smoking on pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) treatment outcomes and the two-month conversion rates for Mycobacterium tuberculosis sputum cultures among patients with culture-confirmed PTB in an area with a moderate incidence of tuberculosis in Brazil. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of PTB patients diagnosed and treated at the Thoracic Diseases Institute of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro between 2004 and 2012. Results: Of the 298 patients diagnosed with PTB during the study period, 174 were included in the outcome analysis: 97 (55.7%) were never-smokers, 31 (17.8%) were former smokers, and 46 (26.5%) were current smokers. Smoking was associated with a delay in sputum culture conversion at the end of the second month of TB treatment (relative risk = 3.58 [95% CI: 1.3-9.86]; p = 0.01), as well as with poor treatment outcomes (relative risk = 6.29 [95% CI: 1.57-25.21]; p = 0.009). The association between smoking and a positive culture in the second month of treatment was statistically significant among the current smokers (p = 0.027). Conclusions: In our sample, the probability of a delay in sputum culture conversion was higher in current smokers than in never-smokers, as was the probability of a poor treatment outcome.

Keywords: Tuberculosis; Treatment outcome; Smoking.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of mepolizumab in patients with severe eosinophilic asthma (SEA) in a real-world clinical setting. Methods: This retrospective, observational cohort study included data from 45 SEA patients who initiated mepolizumab treatment, with 41 completing a 12-month follow-up. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data-including exacerbation rates, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), Asthma Control Test (ACT) and CARAT scores, and blood eosinophil counts-were extracted from patient medical records. Paired statistical tests were used to compare pre- and post-treatment outcomes, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Mepolizumab therapy was associated with an 81% reduction in annual exacerbation rates (from 2.68 to 0.51 events; p < 0.001) and a 21.6% improvement in FEV1 (from 1.71 L to 2.08 L; p < 0.001). ACT scores increased significantly from 11.91 to 21.29 (p < 0.001), with 73.2% of patients achieving well-controlled asthma (ACT = 20). CARAT scores also showed significant improvement, reflecting better control of both asthma and rhinitis symptoms. Blood eosinophil counts decreased by 64% (from 525.9 to 189.4 cells/µL; p < 0.001). Overall, the treatment was well tolerated, with only one discontinuation due to a mild headache. Conclusion: In this real-world cohort, mepolizumab significantly reduced exacerbation frequency, improved lung function and symptom control, and lowered eosinophil levels over 12 months. These findings support its use as an effective and safe therapeutic option for managing severe eosinophilic asthma.

Keywords: Mepolizumab, Eosinophilic asthma, Severe asthma.

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with COVID-19-related acute respiratory failure on the basis of their vaccination status at the time of ICU admission. Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study using a prospective database of patients admitted to the ICU of a university hospital in the city of Murcia, in Spain, between January 1, 2021 and September 1, 2022. Clinical, analytical, and sociodemographic data were collected and analyzed on the basis of patient vaccination status. We adjusted for confounding variables using propensity score matching and calculated adjusted ORs and 95% CIs. Results: A total of 276 patients were included in the study. Of those, 8.3% were fully vaccinated, 12% were partially vaccinated, and 79.7% were unvaccinated. Although fully vaccinated patients had more comorbidities, partially vaccinated patients had higher disease severity. The proportion of patients with severe acute respiratory failure was higher in the unvaccinated group, followed by the partially vaccinated group. No significant differences were found among the different groups regarding complications, duration of ventilatory support, or length of ICU/hospital stay. In the sample selected by propensity score matching, the number of patients with severe complications and the in-hospital mortality rate were higher in unvaccinated patients, but the differences were not significant. Conclusions: This study failed to show a significant improvement in outcomes in critically ill COVID-19 patients vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2. However, the CIs were wide and the mortality point estimates favored patients who received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

Keywords: COVID-19; Vaccination; Critical care.

Objective: To describe the factors associated with nonadherence to TB chemoprophylaxis in patients older than 15 years of age treated via referral TB control programs. Methods: A historical cohort study was carried out based on medical charts related to cases treated via referral TB control programs in the city of Vitória, Brazil, between 2002 and 2007. Cases of infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis were stratified into two groups: health care workers (HCW group); and individuals who were not health care workers (NHCW group). Results: A total of 395 patients were included in the study: 35 in the HCW group and 360 in the NHCW group. The mean age in the HCW and NHCW groups was 34.8 and 32.4 years, respectively (p = 0.36). Of the 35 patients in the HCW group, 29 (82.9%) were female, compared with 180 (50.0%) of the 360 patients in the NHCW group. In the HCW and NHCW groups, respectively, 15 (42.9%) and 169 (46.9%) of the patients were contacts of TB cases. In addition, 9 (25.7%) and 157 (78.5%) the HCW and NHCW group patients, respectively, were HIV-infected. Nonadherence to chemoprophylaxis was 37.1% and 21.9% in the HCW and NHCW groups, respectively (p = 0.045). In the multivariate analysis, the factors associated with nonadherence were being a health care worker (OR = 8.60; 95% CI: 2.09-35.41), being HIV-infected (OR = 4.57; 95% CI: 1.2-17.5) and having had contact with a TB patient (OR = 2.65; 95% CI: 1.15-6.12). Conclusions: In order to improve adherence to TB chemoprophylaxis, new TB control program strategies are needed, especially for health care workers and HIV-infected patients.

Keywords: Tuberculosis; Chemoprevention; Isoniazid.

Objective: To compare inpatient and outpatient treatment of tuberculosis, in terms of outcomes, in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, as well to determine which variables are most frequently associated with hospitalization. Methods: A prospective, longitudinal study carried out between January and December of 2007, at two large hospitals and at outpatient clinics, in two regions of the city of São Paulo. For inpatients, data were collected with a structured questionnaire. Additional data were obtained from the São Paulo State Department of Health Tuberculosis Database. Results: Of the 474 patients included in the study, 166 were inpatients, and 308 were outpatients. The multivariate analysis showed that hospitalization for tuberculosis was associated with hospital/emergency room diagnosis of tuberculosis (OR = 55.42), with HIV co-infection (OR = 18.57), with retreatment (OR = 18.51), and with having previously sought treatment at another health care facility (OR = 12.32). For the inpatient and outpatient groups, the overall cure rates were 41.6% and 78.3%, respectively, compared with 30.4% and 58.5% for those who were co-infected with HIV, whereas the overall mortality rates were 29.5% and 2.6%, respectively, compared with 45.7% and 9.8% for those who were co-infected with HIV. Conclusions: Among inpatients, tuberculosis appears to be more severe and more difficult to diagnose, resulting in lower cure rates and higher mortality rates, than among outpatients. In addition, tuberculosis patients co-infected with HIV have less favorable outcomes.

Keywords: Tuberculosis; Hospitalization; Primary health care; Treatment outcome.

Objective: To compare clinical, radiological and laboratory aspects of household contacts, aged 15 or younger, of patients presenting a positive culture for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Methods: This was a cohort study comparing children and adolescents (≤ 15 years of age) who were household contacts of TB cases presenting positive sputum smear and positive culture results (exposed group, n = 100) or negative sputum smear and positive culture results (unexposed group, n = 55). All of the contacts were evaluated via the TB control program of a university hospital in the city of Vitória, Brazil, between July of 2003 and December of 2006. Results: Of the 155 minors evaluated, 87 (56.1%) were female and 68 (43.9%) were male. Of those 155, 28 (18%) were aged 5 or younger, 62 (40%) were aged 5-9, and 65 (42%) were aged 10-15. Symptoms of the disease were found in 17 (17%) of the 100 contacts in the exposed group and in 9 (16%) of the 55 in the unexposed group (p = 0.86). Chest X-rays showed alterations in 20 (21%) and 2 (4%) of the contacts in the exposed and unexposed groups, respectively (RR = 6.9; p = 0.004). In the exposed and unexposed groups, respectively, 35 (38%) and 10 (18%) of the contacts presented positive results on the tuberculin skin test (RR = 2.8; p = 0.01). Of the 100 contacts in the exposed group, 5 (5%) were diagnosed with TB, which was not diagnosed in any of those in the unexposed group (p = 0.08). Conclusions: Although no significant difference was found between the two groups regarding the incidence of TB, it is of note that there is a greater risk of becoming infected with M. tuberculosis if the bacterial load of the index case is high.

Keywords: Tuberculosis; Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Tuberculosis, pulmonary; Child; Adolescent.

Objective: To evaluate the association that protective mechanical ventilation (MV), based on VT and maximum distending pressure (MDP), has with mortality in patients at risk for ARDS. Methods: This was a prospective cohort study conducted in an ICU and including 116 patients on MV who had at least one risk factor for the development of ARDS. Ventilatory parameters were collected twice a day for seven days, and patients were divided into two groups (protective MV and nonprotective MV) based on the MDP (difference between maximum airway pressure and PEEP) or VT. The outcome measures were 28-day mortality, ICU mortality, and in-hospital mortality. The risk factors associated with the adoption of nonprotective MV were also assessed. Results: Nonprotective MV based on VT and MDP was applied in 49 (42.2%) and 38 (32.8%) of the patients, respectively. Multivariate Cox regression showed that protective MV based on MDP was associated with lower in-hospital mortality (hazard ratio = 0.37; 95% CI: 0.19-0.73) and lower ICU mortality (hazard ratio = 0.40; 95% CI: 0.19-0.85), after adjustment for age, Simplified Acute Physiology Score 3, and vasopressor use, as well as the baseline values for PaO2/FiO2 ratio, PEEP, pH, and PaCO2. These associations were not observed when nonprotective MV was based on the VT. Conclusions: The MDP seems to be a useful tool, better than VT, for adjusting MV in patients at risk for ARDS.

Keywords: Respiration, artificial; Tidal volume; Respiratory distress syndrome, adult.

Objective: To compile fiberoptic bronchoscopy findings in patients diagnosed with lung cancer and to correlate those with histopathological findings. Methods: This was a retrospective study involving 212 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of lung cancer by cytological evaluation of BAL specimens or by histopathological evaluation of endobronchial or transbronchial biopsy specimens. The data were collected at the Respiratory Endoscopy Section of Hospital São Salvador, located in the city of Goiânia, Brazil, between 2005 and 2010. The endoscopic findings were classified as endoscopically visible tumor, endoscopically invisible tumor, and mucosal injury, as well as being classified by the presence/type of secretion. The visible tumors were also classified according to their location in the tracheobronchial tree. Results: Endobronchial mass (64%) and mucosal infiltration (35%) were the main endoscopic findings. The histological type was determined in 199 cases, the most prevalent types being squamous carcinoma, in 78 (39%), adenocarcinoma, in 42 (21%), small cell carcinoma, in 24 (12%), and large cell carcinoma, in 2 (1%). More than 45% of the visible tumors were at the upper bronchi. Squamous carcinoma (n = 78) was most commonly visualized as an endobronchial mass (in 74%), mucosal infiltration (in 36%), luminal narrowing (in 10%), or external compression (in 6%). Conclusions: Our results show that an endobronchial mass is the most common bronchoscopic finding that is suggestive of malignancy. Proportionally, mucosal infiltration is the most common finding in small cell carcinoma. In adenocarcinoma, luminal narrowing, external compression, mucosal injury, and endobronchial secretion prevail.

Keywords: Lung neoplasms/diagnosis; Lung neoplasms/classification; Bronchoscopy.

Objective: To evaluate clinical outcomes and factors associated with mortality, focusing on secondary infections, in critically ill patients with COVID-19 in three Brazilian hospitals during the first pandemic wave. Methods: This was a retrospective observational study involving adult patients with COVID-19 admitted to one of the participating ICUs between March and August of 2020. We analyzed clinical features, comorbidities, source of SARS-CoV-2 infection, laboratory data, microbiology data, complications, and causes of death. We assessed factors associated with in-hospital mortality using logistic regression models. Results: We included 645 patients with a mean age of 61.4 years. Of those, 387 (60.0%) were male, 12.9% (83/643) had undergone solid organ transplant, and almost 10% (59/641) had nosocomial COVID-19 infection. During ICU stay, 359/644 patients (55.7%) required invasive mechanical ventilation, 225 (34.9%) needed renal replacement therapy, 337 (52.2%) received vasopressors, and 216 (33.5%) had hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), mainly caused by multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria. HAIs were independently associated with a higher risk of death. The major causes of death were refractory shock and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome but not ARDS, as previously reported in the literature. Conclusions: In this study, most of our cohort required invasive mechanical ventilation and almost one third had HAIs, which were independently associated with a higher risk of death. Other factors related to death were Charlson Comorbidity Index, SOFA score at admission, and clinical complications during ICU stay. Nosocomial COVID-19 infection was not associated with death. The main immediate causes of death were refractory shock and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome.

Keywords: COVID-19/mortality; Sepsis; Multiple organ failure.

Objective: To evaluate the implications of the proportion of annual family income spent in the pre- and post-diagnosis periods in tuberculosis patients followed for after at least one year after completing tuberculosis treatment in Brazil. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of tuberculosis patients followed for at least one year after completing tuberculosis treatment in five Brazilian capitals (one in each region of the country). Results: A total of 62 patients were included in the analysis. The overall average cost of tuberculosis was 283.84 Brazilian reals (R$) in the pre-diagnosis period and R$4,161.86 in the post-diagnosis period. After the costs of tuberculosis disease, 71% of the patients became unemployed, with an overall increase in unemployment; in addition, the number of patients living in nonpoverty decreased by 5%, the number of patients living in poverty increased by 6%, and the number of patients living in extreme poverty increased by 5%. The largest proportion of annual household income to cover the total costs of tuberculosis was for the extremely poor (i.e., 40.37% vs. 11.43% for the less poor). Conclusions: Policies to mitigate catastrophic costs should include interventions planned by the health care system and social protection measures for tuberculosis patients with lower incomes in order to eliminate the global tuberculosis epidemic by 2035-a WHO goal in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Keywords: Tuberculosis/diagnosis; Tuberculosis/therapy; Costs and cost analysis; Financial stress; Brazil.

Objective: To compare the effects of a home-based pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) program with and without telecoaching on health-related outcomes in COVID-19 survivors. Methods: A total of 42 COVID-19 patients who completed medical treatment were randomly divided into two groups: the study (telecoaching) group (n = 21) and the control (no telecoaching) group (n = 21). Both groups participated in an 8-week home-based PR program including education, breathing exercises, strength training, and regular walking. The study group received phone calls from a physiotherapist once a week. Both groups of patients were assessed before and after the program by means of the following: pulmonary function tests; the modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale; the six-minute walk test; extremity muscle strength measurement; the Saint George's Respiratory Questionnaire (to assess disease-related quality of life); the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36, to assess overall quality of life); and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Results: In both groups, there were significant improvements in the following: FVC; the six-minute walk distance; right and left deltoid muscle strength; Saint George's Respiratory Questionnaire activity domain, impact domain, and total scores; and SF-36 social functioning, role-physical, role-emotional, and bodily pain domain scores (p < 0.05). Decreases in daily-life dyspnea, exertional dyspnea, and exertional fatigue were significant in the study group (p < 0.05), and the improvement in SF-36 social functioning domain scores was greater in the study group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: A home-based PR program with telecoaching increases social functioning and decreases daily-life dyspnea, exertional dyspnea, and exertional fatigue in COVID-19 survivors in comparison with a home-based PR program without telecoaching.

Keywords: COVID-19; Exercise; Telerehabilitation; Dyspnea; Fatigue.

Objective: To identify factors that lead to a positive oxygenation response and predictive factors of mortality after prone positioning. Methods: This was a retrospective, multicenter, cohort study involving seven hospitals in Brazil. Inclusion criteria were being > 18 years of age with a suspected or confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19, being on invasive mechanical ventilation, having a PaO2/FIO2 ratio < 150 mmHg, and being submitted to prone positioning. After the first prone positioning session, a 20 mmHg improvement in the PaO2/FIO2 ratio was defined as a positive response. Results: The study involved 574 patients, 412 (72%) of whom responded positively to the first prone positioning session. Multiple logistic regression showed that responders had lower Simplified Acute Physiology Score III (SAPS III)/SOFA scores and lower D-dimer levels (p = 0.01; p = 0.04; and p = 0.04, respectively). It was suggested that initial SAPS III and initial PaO2/FIO2 were predictors of oxygenation response. The mortality rate was 69.3%. Increased risk of mortality was associated with age (OR = 1.04 [95 CI: 1.01-1.06]), time to first prone positioning session (OR = 1.18 [95 CI: 1.06-1.31]), number of sessions (OR = 1.31 [95% CI: 1.00-1.72]), proportion of pulmonary impairment (OR = 1.55 [95% CI: 1.02-2.35]), and immunosuppression (OR = 3.83 [95% CI: 1.35-10.86]). Conclusions: Our results show that most patients in our sample had a positive oxygenation response after the first prone positioning session. However, the mortality rate was high, probably due to the health status and the number of comorbidities of the patients, as well as the severity of their disease. Our results also suggest that SAPS III and the initial PaO2/FIO2 predict the oxygenation response; in addition, age, time to first prone positioning, number of sessions, pulmonary impairment, and immunosuppression can predict mortality.

Keywords: Respiratory distress syndrome; Coronavirus infections; Pulmonary medicine; COVID-19; Prone position; SARS-CoV-2.

Objective: Because SARS-CoV-2 infection can severely affect the lungs and persistent functional changes can occur after severe disease, we aimed to determine lung function parameters of COVID-19 patients at 45 days after hospital discharge and compare changes according to the severity of the disease. Methods: This was a prospective descriptive analytical multicenter study. The participants were allocated into three groups: ward admission (WA) group; ICU admission not on mechanical ventilation (ICU/MV-) group; and ICU admission on MV (ICU/MV+) group. Lung volumes, DLco, MIP, MEP, and six-minute walk distance (6MWD) were measured 45 days after discharge. Results: The sample comprised 242 patients (mean age = 59.4 ± 14.8 years; 52.1% of males), and 232 (96%) had altered lung function. In the total cohort, restrictive disorder was observed in 96%, as well as reductions in DLco (in 21.2% of the patients), FEV1/FVC (in 39.7%), and PEmax (in 95.8%), with no differences between the groups. Comparing the groups, the ICU/MV+ group had reduced DLco in 50% of the patients (p < 0.001) and a lower mean 6MWD % of the predicted value (p = 0.013). Oxygen desaturation in the six-minute walk test was observed in 32.3% of the cohort and was less frequent in the IE group. Conclusions: This is the first South American study involving severe COVID-19 survivors whose lung function was assessed 45 days after hospital discharge. Changes were frequent, especially in those on MV, which highlights the importance of lung function evaluation after severe COVID-19.

Keywords: COVID-19; Respiratory function tests; Pulmonary diffusing capacity; Virus disease; SARS-CoV-2.

Objective: To evaluate the anthropometric data obtained for residents of the city of São Paulo, Brazil, in a study of Latin America conducted in two phases (baseline, in 2003, and follow-up, in 2012). Methods: This was an analysis of data obtained for São Paulo residents in a two-phase population-based study evaluating the prevalence of COPD and its relationship with certain risk factors among individuals ≥ 40 years of age. The anthropometric data included values for weight, height, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference. In the follow-up phase of that study, the same variables were evaluated in the same population sample as that of the baseline phase. Results: Of the 1,000 São Paulo residents enrolled in the baseline phase of that study, 587 participated in the follow-up phase, and 80 (13.6%) of those 587 subjects had COPD. Comparing the baseline and follow-up phases, we found increases in all anthropometric measures in both groups (COPD and non-COPD), although the differences were significant only in the non-COPD group. The subjects with mild COPD showed increases in weight and BMI (Δweight = 1.6 ± 5.7 and ΔBMI = 0.7 ± 2.2), whereas those with moderate or severe COPD showed reductions (Δweight = −1.7 ± 8.1 and ΔBMI = −0.4 ± 3.0), as did those with severe or very severe COPD (Δweight = −0.5 ± 5.4 and ΔBMI = −0.8 ± 3.3). Conclusions: Between the two phases of the study, the subjects with mild COPD showed increases in weight and BMI, whereas those with a more severe form of the disease showed reductions.

Keywords: Pulmonary disease, chronic obstructive; Body mass index; Obesity; Waist circumference.

Objective: A significant number of patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) are not eligible for pulmonary endarterectomy and may be treated with balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA). Although BPA programs have recently been developed in Brazil, no results have yet been published. The objective of this study was to assess the clinical and hemodynamic progression of the first patients treated with BPA at our center. Methods: This was an observational study of 23 patients with CTEPH enrolled in the BPA program of a specialized center in Brazil between 2015 and 2020. Results: After a mean of 5.6 ± 1.3 sessions and 11 ± 2.8 treated segments/patient (at a mean of 6.7 ± 2.9 months post-BPA), there was a 26% decrease in mean pulmonary artery pressure (51 ± 11 vs. 38 ± 11 mmHg; p < 0.0001), a 43% decrease in pulmonary vascular resistance (10 ± 3.7 vs. 5.7 ± 3.3 WU; p < 0.0001), and a 22.5% increase in the cardiac index (2.38 ± 0.6 vs. 2.95 ± 0.6 L/min/m2; p < 0.0001). There was an increase in the six-minute walk distance and an improvement in functional class. Acute lung injury with clinical manifestations was observed after 7% of the BPA sessions. None of the patients required intubation. During a mean outpatient follow-up period of 38 ± 22 months, two patients were referred for additional BPA sessions due to clinical worsening and new hospitalizations. Two deaths were recorded (due to CTEPH progression and gastrointestinal bleeding, respectively). Conclusions: Among this first group of patients treated with BPA in Brazil, there was significant short- and long-term clinical improvement, together with a low frequency of complications.

Keywords: Hypertension, pulmonary; Pulmonary embolism; Angioplasty, balloon.