BackgroundActivation of inflammatory pathways promotes organ dysfunction in COVID-19. Currently, there are reports describing lung function abnormalities in COVID-19 survivors; however, the biological mechanisms remain unknown. The aim of this study was to analyze the association between serum biomarkers collected during and following hospitalization and pulmonary function in COVID-19 survivors.MethodsPatients recovering from severe COVID-19 were prospectively evaluated. Serum biomarkers were analyzed from admission to hospital, peak during hospitalization, and at the time of discharge. Pulmonary function was measured approximately 6 weeks after discharge.Results100 patients (63% male) were included (age 48 years, SD ± 14) with 85% having at least one comorbidity. Patients with a restrictive spirometry pattern (n= 46) had greater inflammatory biomarkers compared to those with normal spirometry (n= 54) including peak Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte ratio (NLR) value [9.3 (10.1) vs. 6.5 (6.6), median (IQR),p= 0.027] and NLR at hospital discharge [4.6 (2.9) vs. 3.2 (2.9)p= 0.005] and baseline C-reactive protein value [164.0 (147.0) vs. 106.5 (139.0) mg/dL,p= 0.083). Patients with an abnormal diffusing capacity (n= 35) had increased peak NLR [8.9 (5.9) vs. 5.6 (5.7) mg/L,p= 0.029]; baseline NLR [10.0 (19.0) vs. 4.0 (3.0) pg/ml,p= 0.002] and peak Troponin-T [10.0 (20.0) vs. 5.0 (5.0) pg/ml,p= 0.011] compared to patients with normal diffusing capacity (n= 42). Multivariable linear regression analysis identified predictors of restrictive spirometry and low diffusing capacity, but only accounted for a low degree of variance in pulmonary function outcome.ConclusionOverexpression of inflammatory biomarkers is associated with subsequent lung function abnormalities in patients recovered from severe COVID-19.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12890-023-02521-5.