ABSTRACT
Aim and Objectives: To characterize the functional recovery of hospitalized patients diagnosed with COVID-19 at 3-, 6-, 9- and 12-months post-discharge. Method(s): We are conducting a multi-regional prospective cohort study in hospitalized COVID-19 patients 18 years and older in Canada. Patients are assessed upon admission and at 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-months follow-up. Data collection is completed via telephone interviews in addition to home visits. Outcomes include the Activity Measure for Post-Acute Care Mobility and Cognition scales and lung function. Result(s): Preliminary data from 242 hospitalized COVID-19 patients (60.1 +/- 13.0 yrs) indicate that the most common self-reported symptoms are fatigue (47%) and shortness of breath (35%) at 12-months follow-up. Our lung function data suggests that 39-46% of post-acute patients with COVID-19 have impaired FEV1 (<80% predicted), and 38- 49% have impaired FVC (<80% predicted) at 3-,6-, 9- and 12-month follow-up. At 12-months, 38-45% of patients continue to have clinically important deficits in cognition and mobility below premorbid levels, respectively, and 55.4% of patients report that COVID-19 continues to impact their daily life activities (Figure 1). Conclusion(s): There is a high prevalence of functional limitations in COVID-19 survivors over 12 months of followup. Our data support the need for multi-disciplinary rehabilitation for patients post-hospitalisation for COVID-19.