Dynamic chest radiography (DCR) is a rapid and easily performed technique that capturesreal-time continuous images of the moving chest. COVID-19 has led to variouscomplications and long-term effects, with dyspnea being a common symptom experienced bymany patients. Studies conducted abroad have indicated that dyspnea following a newcoronavirus infection can be attributed to diaphragm dysfunction. This study using DCRaims to describe diaphragm function in patients after coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
It has been estimated that approximately 80% of individuals infected with the new
coronavirus will experience one or more long-term symptoms following recovery, with
dyspnea being a frequent clinical complaint. However, this dyspnea cannot be adequately
made clear by conventional clinical diagnostic measures, including pulmonary function
tests and cardiac evaluation.
Currently, 9 clinical studies have explored the relationship between diaphragm
dysfunction and COVID-19 in a small number of samples. To evaluate diaphragmatic
function, there are several examination methods currently available including
transdiaphragmatic pressure measurement, diaphragmatic ultrasound, and
neuroelectrophysiological examination. However, these methods pose challenges in terms of
implementation and widespread use, as they require a considerable amount of time and user
experience. Therefore, there is a substantial unmet clinical demand for these methods.
A recent technological advancement in this field is dynamic chest radiography (DCR),
which is a low-dose imaging system capable of producing continuous moving images.
Compared to traditional fluoroscopic techniques, dynamic chest radiography offers several
advantages, including simplicity of operation, reduced radiation dose, and the ability to
provide quantitative data on diaphragm and chest wall motion. It has been used to
diagnose diaphragmatic dysfunction by effectively identifying paradoxical diaphragmatic
movement.
In this study, patients who experienced persistent respiratory symptoms four weeks after
COVID-19 underwent DCR to observe diaphragm function and determine its relationship to
dyspnea and clinical detection. This research marks the first instance of using DCR to
investigate diaphragm dysfunction following COVID-19. The study shows promising research
potential in understanding the role of diaphragm abnormalities and addressing the
limitations of traditional examination methods for assessing diaphragm function.
Device: dynamic chest radiography
A recent technological advancement in this field is dynamic chest radiography (DCR),
which is a low-dose imaging system capable of producing continuous moving images
Inclusion Criteria:
- COVID-19 group:
1. Voluntarily sign the informed consent form;
2. Aged equal to or older than 18 years old, regardless of gender;
3. Inpatients with COVID-19 who mainly complain of dyspnea, dyspnea If it persists
or develops and lasts for more than 4 weeks after acute COVID-19, it is related
to long COVID-19; (confirmed infection with COVID-19 through nucleic acid
monitoring or hospital laboratory data);
4. Lung function measurements have been completed during hospitalization due to
diagnosis and treatment needs;
5. Be able to cooperate in completing the dynamic chest X-ray (complete the
positioning of the dynamic chest X-ray for 20 seconds, and breathe calmly and
forcefully during this period; be able to hold breath for at least 7 seconds).
- Control group:
1. Voluntarily sign the informed consent form;
2. Aged equal to or older than 18 years old, regardless of gender;
3. People from the health examination center, and the age, gender are matched in
the COVID-19 group and have no previous acute or chronic cardiopulmonary
disease, no abnormalities in previous lung physical examinations and lung
imaging examinations, and no history of infectious diseases in the past month;
4. Physical examination items are required People who are suitable for ordinary
chest X-ray examination;
5. Be able to cooperate in completing dynamic chest X-ray (complete dynamic chest
X-ray positioning for 20 seconds, during which period, breathe calmly and
forcefully, and be able to hold breath for at least 7 seconds).
Exclusion Criteria:
- COVID-19 group:
1. Not suitable to participate in this study;
2. Combined with serious life-threatening diseases, such as cardiovascular and
cerebrovascular diseases, lung cancer, airway obstruction, etc.;
3. Combined with pneumothorax, pulmonary insufficiency, chronic disease,
interstitial disease, lung surgery history or recent planned surgery;
4. Mental disorder and unable to cooperate with the operator;
5. Pregnant or lactating women;
6. Major radiation related to the research within 12 months before consent
Exposure (participating in previous studies involving radiation exposure, the
research dose is limited to 0.4mSv);
7. No evidence of having been infected with the new coronavirus;
8. Unable to cooperate in completing dynamic chest X-rays;
9. Unable to complete lung function measurements；
- Control group:
1. Not suitable to participate in this study;
2. Patients with previous acute or chronic cardiopulmonary disease, previous lung
physical examination, lung imaging examination abnormalities, within the past 1
month Have a history of infectious diseases;
3. Mentally abnormal and unable to cooperate with the operator;
4. Pregnant or lactating women;
5. Significant radiation exposure related to the research within 12 months before
consent (participation in previous research involving radiation exposure, The
study dose is limited to 0.4mSv); 6) Unable to cooperate in completing dynamic
chest X-ray;.
Yudong
Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
Investigator: yu dong, postgraduate
Contact: +86 15625868995
949863680@qq.com
Investigator: yu dong, postgraduate
Liu Laiyu, professor
+86 13632102245
liulaiyu@sina.com
Yu Dong, postgraduate
+86 15625868995
949863680@qq.com
Liu Laiyu, professor, Principal Investigator
Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University