The Relationship between Fatigue Severity and Shortness of Breath with Arterial Blood Oxygen Saturation in COVID-19 Patients: A Cross-sectional Study

Fatigue and shortness of breath are the main complaints of patients after COVID-19 disease, and Determine the factors associated with them is very important for effective care of these patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between fatigue severity and shortness of breath with arterial blood oxygen saturation (SPO2) in COVID-19 patients.

The present study was a cross-sectional study. 193 patients with COVID-19 admitted to Fatemeh Al-Zahra and Lolagar hospitals in Tehran in the second half of 2021 were selected through convenience sampling method. Demographic information questionnaire, fatigue severity scale, Modified Borg Dyspnoea Scale and recording SPO2 form were used to collect data. Data were analyzed using SPSS26 statistical software using statistical tests.

In total, 56.5% were women, 72% were married, 40.9% were housewives and 82.9% were over 40 years old. Patients 'fatigue intensity (35±17.55) was low, arterial blood oxygen saturation (89.74±5.35) and patients' shortness of breath (3.35±2.03) were at the level of light activity. Based on the results, the relationship between fatigue intensity and oxygen saturation was not significant (P=0.246). There was a significant negative relationship between the severity of shortness of breath and SPO2 (P=0.005, r=-0.202). As the severity of shortness of breath increases, the SPO2 decreases.

The fatigue severity in patients with COVID-19 was moderate and the severity of shortness of breath was high, which should be given more attention as a traumatic complication. Also, due to the significant relationship between the severity of shortness of breath and arterial blood oxygen saturation, it is necessary for nurses caring for these patients to be reminded of the importance of measuring oxygen levels to seek the help of nurses and physicians in emergencies.