Funcionalidade após hospitalização por COVID-19 não crítico: implicações à curto e médio prazo na independência funcional, atividades de vida diária, capacidade funcional e dessaturação ao exercício

Abstract

Coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19) is a highly infectious disease that can lead to hospitalization. The disease can compromise the musculoskeletal, cardiopulmonary and vascular systems, which can result in impacts on mobility and functional capacity. Objective: To assess functionality after hospitalization for non-critical COVID-19: short- and medium-term implications for functional independence, activities of daily living, functional capacity and exercise desaturation. Methods: This is a cross-sectional, analytical and descriptive study. Individuals over 18 years of age, diagnosed with non-critical COVID-19, who were hospitalized for at least 24 hours and who were discharged from the hospital, in the state of Pará, were included. Functionality and activities of daily living (ADLs) were assessed. with application of electronic forms from 30 to 180 days after hospital discharge (Barthel Index and London Chest Activity of Daily Scale (LCADL) – Article 1), and assessment of functional capacity and exercise desaturation from 90 to 180 days after hospitalization (Test 6-minute walk (6MWT) – Article 2). Results: 216 individuals were recruited, 58 individuals were included in article 1 and 46 individuals in article 2. In article 1, there was a significant difference in the Barthel Index between 1 and 6 months after hospitalization (p=0.042). No significant difference was observed in the LCADL scale. Physically active people are more likely to score higher on the Barthel Index (OR 7.32, p=0.025). In article 2, individuals after 3 months of hospital discharge walked 420m in the 6MWT, with 28% presenting a >=4% drop in SpO2. After 6 months, the distance covered was 442m, with 19.05% showing desaturation. There was no difference between groups. Conclusion: Reduced functionality, dependence to perform ADLs, reduced functional capacity and exercise desaturation were observed in post-COVID-19 non-critical patients in the short and medium term after hospital discharge.