Introduction: Rehabilitation is recommended for post-COVID patients with functional limitations, but few studies have used standardized tools to measure physical functioning beyond 3-6 months.

Aims: To evaluate the functional recovery of COVID-19 patients post-hospitalization (at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months), focusing on mobility and lung function, and to investigate predictors of long-term mobility.

Methods: Patients aged 40 years and older were evaluated upon admission and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months follow-up. Data was collected via phone interviews and home visits. The main outcomes were the Activity Measure for Post-Acute Care (AM-PAC) mobility scale and spirometry.

Results: Data from the 1st and 2nd waves included 119 COVID-19 patients (mean age 62.2 ± 12.2 yrs; 56.3% male). At 12 months, fatigue, shortness of breath, and difficulty walking long distances were common, affecting 32-44% and 34% of patients, respectively. Lung function showed median FEV1 and FVC of 78-83% at 3-12 months and median FVC of 79%- 81% at 3-12 months, respectively. The proportion of patients with FEV1(% Pred) < 80 was 56.3% at 3 months and 45.2% at 12 months follow-up. The AM-PAC mobility scores were significantly different between premorbid (67.1 ± 10.5) and 3 (61.9 ± 9.9), 6 (62.5 ± 10.5), 9 (63.5 ± 9.8) and 12 months follow-up (63.3 ± 10.6). Factors predicting better long-term mobility recovery included younger age, male gender, fewer comorbidities, and being hospitalized during the second wave of COVID-19.

Conclusion:The high prevalence of functional limitations by COVID-19 survivors 12 months after hospitalization underscores the importance of multi-disciplinary rehabilitation for this population.