One-year physical recovery in patients admitted to ICU and ward for COVID-19

ABSTRACT

Data are emerging on persistent symptoms 12 months after hospitalization for COVID-19. However, objective and longitudinal physical recovery comparing patients admitted to ICU and ward are lacking. To compare recovery in aerobic capacity and muscle strength between patients admitted to ICU and ward for COVID-19 up to 1-year follow-up. In this multicenter prospective cohort study we evaluated aerobic capacity (6-minute walk distance [6MWD]) and muscle strength (max handgrip strength [HGS]) at 3, 6, 12 months after hospital discharge. Physical recovery was assessed using absolute and relative outcomes (% of norm values). 582 patients (>=18 years) were included 237 (41%) in ICU (age 59+/-11 y, 76% male;length of stay (LOS) ICU 16 [9- 30] days, LOS hospital 30 [18-46] days) and 345 (59%) in ward (age 60+/-11 y, 64% male, LOS hospital 6 [4-11] days). At 3 months, ICU patients had more impairment (84% of norm) in HGS than ward patients (95% of norm) (p<0.001), but not in 6MWD (ICU 85.6% of norm, ward 87.7% of norm;p=0.5). ICU patients showed more improvement in HGS and 6MWD (p<=0.01) (Figure) and % of norm in HGS and 6MWD did not differ from ward patients at 12 months. Overall, patients reached 91% of norm 6MWD and 107% of norm HGS at 12 months. Physical function improved well after hospitalization for COVID-19. ICU patients started off worse, needed time to catch up with less severe ward patients, but reached equal levels at 12 months.