tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
Scand J Prim Health Care
. 2026 Dec;44(1):2623877.
doi: 10.1080/02813432.2026.2623877. Epub 2026 Mar 24.
Mild hyperventilation with preserved exercise capacity in patients with self-reported long-term dyspnea after COVID-19-a prospective cohort study in a primary healthcare setting
Henning Stenberg[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Ellen Tufvesson[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Henrik Mosén[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Ida Skarping[SUP] 4 5 [/SUP]
Affiliations
Background: Post COVID-19 condition remains a complex and challenging issue, with diverse manifestations, despite accumulating research and clinical experience. Dyspnea is one of the most common symptoms reported in post COVID-19 condition. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) offers a cohesive assessment of dyspnea and exercise limitations. The Nijmegen questionnaire is a form for assessment of dysfunctional breathing.
Aim: The aim was to explore relationships between self-reported post COVID-19 respiratory symptoms, assessed by Nijmegen questionnaire, and the results of a 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and CPET, in patients with mild primary infection of COVID-19, managed within primary healthcare.
Methods: A total of 15 participants with long-term dyspnea after a mild COVID-19 infection were prospectively included at primary healthcare facilities between July 2021 and April 2022. At inclusion, all subjects performed a 6MWT and answered the Nijmegen questionnaire. All subjects underwent CPET within 4 months of study inclusion. We estimated correlations between Nijmegen score (both total score and a subset of the questionnaire focusing on respiratory symptoms), and the 6MWT and CPET derived variables, respectively.
Results: Nijmegen scores (both total and particularly a respiratory subset) were inversely correlated to 6MWT walking distance, but not to spirometric parameters. Subjects with more self-reported symptoms had higher end-tidal O[SUB]2[/SUB] and lower end-tidal CO[SUB]2[/SUB], indicating mild hyperventilation. Nijmegen scores also correlated with CPET variables reflecting breathing pattern.
Conclusions: Nijmegen score was associated with CPET variables and walking distance at 6MWT. Post COVID-19 condition could be associated with mild hyperventilation, also in subjects without overt dysfunctional breathing pattern.
Keywords: Dyspnea; Nijmegen questionnaire; cardiopulmonary exercise testing; ergospirometry; hyperventilation; post COVID-19 condition.
. 2026 Dec;44(1):2623877.
doi: 10.1080/02813432.2026.2623877. Epub 2026 Mar 24.
Mild hyperventilation with preserved exercise capacity in patients with self-reported long-term dyspnea after COVID-19-a prospective cohort study in a primary healthcare setting
Henning Stenberg[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Ellen Tufvesson[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Henrik Mosén[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Ida Skarping[SUP] 4 5 [/SUP]
Affiliations
- PMID: 41875257
- DOI: 10.1080/02813432.2026.2623877
Background: Post COVID-19 condition remains a complex and challenging issue, with diverse manifestations, despite accumulating research and clinical experience. Dyspnea is one of the most common symptoms reported in post COVID-19 condition. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) offers a cohesive assessment of dyspnea and exercise limitations. The Nijmegen questionnaire is a form for assessment of dysfunctional breathing.
Aim: The aim was to explore relationships between self-reported post COVID-19 respiratory symptoms, assessed by Nijmegen questionnaire, and the results of a 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and CPET, in patients with mild primary infection of COVID-19, managed within primary healthcare.
Methods: A total of 15 participants with long-term dyspnea after a mild COVID-19 infection were prospectively included at primary healthcare facilities between July 2021 and April 2022. At inclusion, all subjects performed a 6MWT and answered the Nijmegen questionnaire. All subjects underwent CPET within 4 months of study inclusion. We estimated correlations between Nijmegen score (both total score and a subset of the questionnaire focusing on respiratory symptoms), and the 6MWT and CPET derived variables, respectively.
Results: Nijmegen scores (both total and particularly a respiratory subset) were inversely correlated to 6MWT walking distance, but not to spirometric parameters. Subjects with more self-reported symptoms had higher end-tidal O[SUB]2[/SUB] and lower end-tidal CO[SUB]2[/SUB], indicating mild hyperventilation. Nijmegen scores also correlated with CPET variables reflecting breathing pattern.
Conclusions: Nijmegen score was associated with CPET variables and walking distance at 6MWT. Post COVID-19 condition could be associated with mild hyperventilation, also in subjects without overt dysfunctional breathing pattern.
Keywords: Dyspnea; Nijmegen questionnaire; cardiopulmonary exercise testing; ergospirometry; hyperventilation; post COVID-19 condition.