ABSTRACT
Background: We explored if fatigue influenced the long-term functional capacity of patients post COVID-19. Method(s): People after COVID -19, grouped by treatment setting (home - H, hospital ward - HW or intensive care unit - ICU), were studied 12 months after discharge. Fatigue-Functional Chronic Illness Assessment Questionnaire Fatigue Subscale, FACIT-F and functional capacity-6min walk test, 6MWD and 1min sit-to-stand test, 1minSTS were assessed. Groups were compared with one-way ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis H test. Spearman's rho and multiple regression analyses were performed between fatigue-functional tests. Result(s): 148 subjects (H, n=44;HW, n=60;ICU, n=44) participated. Fatigue was clinically relevant at 12 months although not significantly different among groups [H: 41(35-49);HW: 42(33-50);ICU;42(32-48) points;p=.979). Functional capacity was significantly higher in those treated at home (6MWD: H,626 114m, HW: 527 146m, ICU: 528 129m, p<.001;1minSTS: H,29 11reps, HW: 23 8reps, ICU: 24 8reps, p<.002). Fatigue was significantly correlated with functional tests within each group (FACIT-F-6MWD,.317<rho<=.550, p<.01;FACIT-F-1minSTS, .364<rho<=.485, p<.01). Each point of FACIT-F could change 6MWD by 5-6m and 1minSTS by. 3-.5reps, explaining between 12-33% of change in 6MWD and 17-22% of change in 1minSTS (Table 1). Conclusion(s): Fatigue seems to influence functional capacity of patients post COVID-19. Early management of this symptom seems important for their long-term management.