Assessing diaphragm function in long COVID patients using dynamic chest radiography

Diaphragm Dysfunction After COVID-19 as Determined by Dynamic Chest Radiography

This study is testing if a special imaging technique can help understand diaphragm problems in people with long COVID who have trouble breathing.

Quick facts

• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 24 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University (other)
• Drugs / interventions: radiation
• Locations: 1 site (Guangzhou, Guangdong)
• Trial ID: NCT06175455 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to evaluate diaphragm dysfunction in patients experiencing long-term symptoms after COVID-19, particularly dyspnea. Utilizing dynamic chest radiography (DCR), a technique that captures real-time images of the chest, the study seeks to provide insights into diaphragmatic function that are not adequately assessed by traditional diagnostic methods. The study includes both COVID-19 patients with persistent dyspnea and a control group for comparison, focusing on the feasibility and effectiveness of DCR in identifying diaphragm movement abnormalities.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults aged 18 and older who have experienced dyspnea for more than four weeks following a confirmed COVID-19 infection.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have a history of COVID-19 or those without persistent dyspnea may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved diagnosis and management of diaphragm dysfunction in long COVID patients, enhancing their quality of life.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have indicated a relationship between diaphragm dysfunction and COVID-19, but this approach using dynamic chest radiography is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

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;.

Where this trial is running

Guangzhou, Guangdong

• Yudong — Guangzhou, Guangdong, China (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Liu Laiyu, professor — Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University
• Study coordinator: Liu Laiyu, professor

Conditions: Long Covid19, coronavirus, diaphragm dysfunction, dynamic chest radiography, dyspnea