Background: Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) programmes show considerable drop-out and suboptimal attendance rates. The factors affecting the attendance rate in patients with long COVID-19 syndrome remain unclear.

Aim: To investigate the effect of sociodemographic data, quality of life (QoL), functional capacity and exercise capacity in patients with long COVID-19 syndrome on the attendance rate in PR. The minimum required attendance rate to PR was 70% of scheduled sessions.

Methods: Sociodemographic data included distance and travelling time to the hospital, comorbidities, age and BMI. Functional capacity was assessed via peripheral muscle strength tests. Exercise tolerance (WRpeak) was assessed via incremental cardiopulmonary exercise testing.

Results: 50 patients (mean±SD 55±145 yrs) 145±88 days following hospital discharge were included in the analysis. Patients were divided into those who attended (n=27) and those who declined to attend (n=23) PR. Non attendees had to cover longer distance to the hospital [10.3±4.6km (p=0.028)] compared to attendees. Attendees had lower anxiety and depression levels compared to non-attendees (by 4±1; p=0.001 and by 3±1; p=0.004, respectively). Attendees exhibited greater upper and lower limb muscle strength compared to non-attendees (Quadriceps Force: by 5.1±2.2kg; p=0.025, Handgrip Force: by 4.8±2.3kg; p=0.037). Finally, WRpeak and VO2peak were greater in attendees compared to non-attendees (by 26±5Watt; p=0.004 and by 2.9±1.3ml/min/kg; p=0.028).

Conclusions: Patients with high levels of anxiety and depression as well as lower limb muscle strength presented higher drop-out rates.