Respiratory Disease in the COVID-19 Era

<p>Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a new respiratory disease caused by infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that caused a global pandemic. COVID-19 patients often develop acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) which involves acute and lethal respiratory failure. In a meta-analysis the median incidence of ARDS in COVID-19 patients was found to be 35 (2-79)% while the mortality rate in COVID-19-associated ARDS patients was found to be 39 (12.5-73.1)% (Hasan et al. <em>Expert Rev Repoir Med.</em> 2020; 14: 1149). As of 12 December 2021 270373764 cases had been confirmed as COVID-19 and 5321321 cases had resulted in death according to the World Health Organization webpage. Various symptoms such as persistent fatigue myalgia and insomnia can persist after recovery from COVID-19; these symptoms are called long COVID-19. Patients with COVID-19 who survive but develop pulmonary fibrosis may experience persistent dyspnea upon exertion a decrease in pulmonary function and/or a radiological abnormal shadow. Antifibrotic drugs including nintedanib and pirfenidone are candidate drugs for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis due to COVID-19; randomized controlled trials are ongoing.</p><p>However there are limited studies about respiratory disease caused by COVID-19. Given the clinical significance of this topic and its impact on clinical practice and public health Medicina have published a Special Issue entitled Respiratory Disease in the COVID-19 Era with the aim of gathering accurate and up-to-date scientific information of this topic.</p>