Leticia A. Okoli, Oikere Collins Otoikhila and Samuel A. Seriki*
Background/Aim: Face masks are physical barriers to respiratory droplets that may enter through the nose and/or mouth and to the expulsion of muco-salivary droplets from infected individuals. The present study aimed at measuring lung function indices and oxygen saturation in subjects who wear surgical masks compared with cloth masks. Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of face masks is now widely recommended by international, national, and local authorities as a key strategy to reduce the spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome 2 (SARS-2) coronavirus.
Method: Fifty (50) male and female healthy adult volunteers (ages between 25-35 years) without any pulmonary or cardiac disease, and nonsmokers were recruited and grouped into three (3); Group 1 – (Control)- Subjects who did not wear any type of face masks; Group 2 – Subjects who wore surgical face masks; Group 3 – Subjects who wore cloth face masks Oxygen saturation and lung function indices were measured before the use of face masks and immediately after face masks were removed. The subjects wore the face masks for two (2) hours. In a standing position, the subjects’ oxygen saturation was recorded using a pulse oximeter on the subjects’ index fingers of their right hands, while the lung function indices (FVC1, FEV1, and PEFR) were measured three times using a spirometer, with the highest value chosen. Data were analyzed statistically using Graph Prism 8.1 version. Results were presented as mean+SEM, ANOVA, and Tukey’s Multiple Comparison Test were used to compare the means obtained, and P-values less than 0.05 (p<0.05) were considered statistically significant.
Results: The results showed that oxygen saturation was significantly decreased by both surgical and cloth masks compared with control, while ventilatory functions were significantly decreased by cloth masks but not by surgical masks compared with control. The decrease in oxygen saturation and ventilatory functions were however not clinically important since their decrease was minimal and not sufficient to induce hypoxia and breathing-related problems.
Conclusion: Thus, the use of face masks is safe, especially surgical facemasks. Consequently, the use of face masks is advised and recommended during an outbreak of airborne disease, but the duration of use, condition of use, and choice of mask may be important factors that should be put into consideration since masks are associated with discomfort. However, the life-saving benefits of wearing masks seem to outweigh the discomfort.
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Pulmonary & Respiratory Medicine received 1690 citations as per Google Scholar report
