Shortness of breath is “significantly associated” with severe cases of Covid-19 and admission to intensive care units, according to research.
The study led by the University College London also indicates chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), an inflammatory lung condition which causes long-term breathing problems, to be “the greatest risk factor” for severe cases of the disease caused by the new coronavirus.
The findings, published in the online journal MedRxiv ahead of peer review, are based on the a meta-analysis of seven peer-reviewed studies from China, covering 1,813 patients.
Results showed patients who experienced dyspnoea, or difficulty in breathing, after being infected with the virus were 3.7 times more likely to have severe disease and 6.6 times more likely be admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU), compared to those who did not show this symptom.
eveningexpress.co.uk/news/d...
Research paper