"Breathing Difficulties After COVID-19 Infection... UK Study Suggests Possible Micro Lung Damage"

On the 27th (local time), commuters in London, the capital of the United Kingdom, are crossing London Bridge on their way to work. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] A study has found that patients who experience breathing difficulties after recovering from COVID-19 infection may have suffered microscopic damage to their lungs.

On the 29th (local time), according to the British BBC and others, a research team composed of experts from the University of Oxford, University of Sheffield, Cardiff University, and University of Manchester recently conducted a preliminary study on patients experiencing post-COVID-19 symptoms.

The study compared three groups: 11 patients complaining of post-COVID-19 symptoms after infection, 12 participants who were hospitalized for more than three months due to COVID-19 but had no symptoms, and 13 healthy participants.

The researchers observed the process of participants inhaling xenon gas using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques, tracking the movement of the gas to analyze lung function.

As a result, it was found that the function of transferring gas to the bloodstream in the lungs of patients with post-COVID-19 symptoms was significantly impaired.

Dr. Emily Fraser, co-author of the study from Oxford University Hospital, explained that this suggests that the representative post-COVID-19 symptom of breathing difficulties may be a result of fundamental lung health damage.

She said, "This implies that the COVID-19 virus has caused persistent abnormalities in the lung microstructure or pulmonary blood vessels."

Claire Steves, Clinical Associate Professor at King's College London, interpreted, "Even if it appears normal externally, it may mean that the efficiency of lung function exchanging carbon dioxide and oxygen is impaired."

However, the research team stated that additional studies are needed to clarify the clinical significance of the results. They plan to expand the study population to examine what proportion of post-COVID-19 patients show abnormalities in lung scans, the causes of abnormal reactions, and long-term outcomes.

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