Capabilities of computer analysis of breath sounds in patients with COVID-19

Objective. To develop methods for a rapid distance computer diagnosis of COVID-19 based on the analysis of breath sounds. It is known that changes in breath sounds can be the indicators of respiratory organs diseases. Computer analysis of these sounds can indicate their typical changes caused by COVID-19, and can be used for a rapid preliminary diagnosis of this disease. Materials and methods. The method of fast Fourier transform (FFT) was used for computer analysis of breath sounds, recorded near the mouth of 14 COVID-19 patients (aged 18–80 years) and 17 healthy volunteers (aged 5–48 years). The frequency of breath sound records ranged from 44 to 96 kHz. Unlike the conventional methods of computer analysis for diagnosis of diseases based on respiratory sound studying, we offer to test a high-frequency part of FFT (2000–6000 kHz). Results. While comparing the breath sound FFT in patients and healthy volunteers, we developed the methods for COVID-19 computer diagnosis and determined the numerical criteria in patients and healthy persons. These criteria do not depend on sex and age of the examined persons. Conclusions. The offered computer methods based on the analysis of breath sound FFT in patients and volunteers permit to diagnose COVID -19 with relatively high diagnostic parameters. These methods can be used in development of noninvasive means for preliminary self-express diagnosis of COVID-19.