Covid-19 aftermath: spirometric and ultrasonographic insights into pulmonary health of IIUM Kuantan female undergraduate students

Background: COVID-19 has significantly impacted the public, leading to decreased pulmonary function, reduced quality of life, and increased mortality rates and healthcare burdens. The outbreak of COVID-19 has triggered a profound sense of fear and uncertainty regarding health status among individuals, communities, and nations. A specific public health concern related to COVID-19 is the potential for long-term respiratory complications that can affect pulmonary function. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 61 student volunteers from IIUM Kuantan, divided into COVID-19-virgin (n=32) and Post-COVID-19 (n=29) groups. Spirometry and ultrasound examinations were performed to evaluate pulmonary function and diaphragmatic mobility. Participants first underwent a spirometry test, followed by a diaphragmatic mobility assessment using ultrasound, with measurements taken on the right diaphragm during three respiratory actions;: quiet breathing, deep breathing, and voluntary sniffing. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 29.0 with Descriptive Analysis, Mann-Whitney U, and Spearman Correlation tests. Result: Among the participants, 51.6% were COVID-19-virgin (n=32), and 46.8% were Post-COVID-19 (n=29). All Post-COVID-19 participants were in Stage-2 of the disease. The Mann-Whitney U test revealed no statistically significant differences in FVC, FEV1, and FEV1/FVC between COVID-19-virgin and Post-COVID-19 participants. However, a statistically significant correlation in diaphragmatic mobility was found during deep breathing, with a moderate negative linear relationship (p = 0.006, r = -0.351). No statistically significant differences were found in diaphragmatic mobility during quiet breathing and voluntary sniffing. Conclusion: The findings suggest that Post-COVID-19 individuals may experience reduced diaphragmatic mobility during deep breathing despite normal spirometric parameters, indicating potential differences in pulmonary health between the groups. The decreased diaphragmatic mobility observed in Post-COVID-19 individuals warrants further investigation to understand the underlying mechanisms and long-term implications.