Background
Post COVID syndrome could become a chronic health issue if the needs of COVID-19 survivors are not prioritised. Post COVID rehabilitation is now used to manage various symptoms such as breathlessness, fatigue, brain fog and reduced exercise tolerance. However, the effectiveness of post-covid rehabilitation is unclear. To date, no data has shown if frailty is an associated symptom and its impact on clinical outcomes.
Aim
To determine the effectiveness of Post COVID rehabilitation, the prevalence and impact of frailty in Post COVID syndrome.
Methods
A retrospective data analysis of 179 patients after 6 week of rehabilitation, median (IQR) age 48, 76% female using intention-to-treat analyse.
Results
There was a significant improvement in quality of life - EQ5DL (mean),pre vs.post, in hospitalised group, 15 vs.11, p<0.05 and in non hospitalised 10.7 vs.10.4, p=0.22. Also, the Fatigue Assessment Score (FAS)30 vs 27, p<0.04, in hospitalised group and 33 vs.31, p<0.006 in non-hospitalised group, the Breathing Pattern Assessment Test (BPAT),4 vs 2.9, p<0.01 in hospitalised group and 3.9 vs.2.3, p<0.003 in non-hospitalised group. A third of post COVID patients are frail and it impact on their exercise tolerance.
Conclusion
Post-COVID Rehabilitation is effective in post-COVID syndrome and frailty may impact their outcome.
| Hospitalised | Non-Hospitalised | |||||
| Pre | Post | p-value | Pre | Post | p-value | |
| EQ5DL | 15(11-19) | 11(9-13) | <0.05 | 10.7(9-11) | 10.4(9.4-11) | 0.22 |
| FAS | 30(26-34) | 27(23-30) | 0.04 | 33(31-36) | 31(28-33) | <0.006 |
| BPAT | 4.6(3.1-1.3) | 2.9(1.3-4.5) | 0.01 | 3.9(2.9-4.5) | 2.3(1.7-2.7) | 0.003 |
Data:Mean (95%CI)
| Hospitalised % | Non-hospitalised % | p-value | |
| Frail | 30 | 6 | |
| Prefrail | 57 | 75 | |
| Not frail | 13 | 19 | |
| 6MWT (m) | 237 | 355 | <0.05 |