300 Section - Factors Associated with Chest Expansion in Patients with Covid-19 : A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study

Objectives : This study aimed to examine the association between chest expansion and selected demographic and clinical variables among patients with COVID-19.

Design: This cross-sectional study used retrospective medical record data from patients admitted for acute COVID-19 care under the Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Department. Patients who met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Chest expansion was classified into two categories: good and low. Demographic characteristics, comorbid conditions, and clinical severity were collected from medical records. Associations between chest expansion and demographic as well as clinical variables were analyzed using the Chi-square test.

Results: Variables including age, comorbidities, and disease severity were found to be significantly associated with chest expansion. Patients aged ≥60 years were 2.57 times more likely to show reduced chest expansion compared to younger patients (p = 0.005). Patients with comorbidities or complications had a twofold increased risk of decreased chest expansion (p = 0.015). Additionally, patients with severe or critical COVID-19 were 4.28 times more likely to have lower chest expansion compared with those with mild or moderate disease (p = 0.022).

Conclusion: Reduced chest expansion among patients with COVID-19 was significantly associated with older age, comorbidities, and greater disease severity.