Ultrasonographic findings in long COVID: A cross-sectional study of 312 patients.

Background: Fatigue and muscle weakness are common complaints in COVID-19 survivors. However, little is still known about the skeletal muscle qualitative and quantitative characteristics after hospitalization due to moderate and severe COVID-19. Objectives: To assess rectus femoris and vastus intermedius muscle thickness (MT) and rectus femoris echo intensity (EI) and to establish its association with demographic, clinical, functional, and inflammatory parameters in long COVID patients after hospital discharge. Methods: Cross-sectional study with 312 COVID-19 patients (53.53% male; age: 54.59 ± 13.50 years), with a laboratory-confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19. Patients were assessed 3-11 months after hospital discharge. We evaluated MT of the right rectus femoris and vastus intermedius and EI of the right rectus femoris using a portable ultrasound system, 6-13 MHz, broadband linear transducer. We corrected EI using the subcutaneous fat thickness. Ultrasonographic parameters were tested in association with demographic (sex and age); functional (Handgrip strength measurement, Timed Up and Go, 1 min Sit-to-Stand test, EuroQoL-5 Dimensions-5 Levels, World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS 2.0), Post-COVID-19 Functional Status, Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT), Medical Research Council (MRC) sum score, Borg Dyspnea Scale, MRC Dyspnea score, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Insomnia Severity Index, Functional Independence Measurement (FIM), and Functional Oral Intake Scale); clinical (length of hospital stay, intubation, and presence of comorbidities such as systemic hypertension, diabetes, obesity, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma), and inflammatory data assessed by the C-reactive protein and D-dimer serum concentrations. Results: Rectus femoris MT was associated with age, handgrip strength, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and subcutaneous fat thickness (r2 = 27.51%; p < 0.0001). Vastus intermedius MT was associated with age, pain intensity, handgrip strength, Epworth Sleepiness scale, FIM, and time since hospital discharge (r2 = 21.12%; p < 0.0001). Rectus femoris EI was significantly associated with the male sex, TUG, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and C-Reactive Protein levels (r2 = 44.39%; p < 0.0001). Mean MT of rectus femoris and vastus intermedius are significantly different (p < 0.001). Conclusion: After hospital discharge, long COVID patients present qualitative and quantitative skeletal muscle characteristics associated with a combination of demographic, clinical, and functional parameters.

Rehabilitation of patients after COVID-19 recovery: An experience at the Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Institute and Lucy Montoro Rehabilitation Institute.

OBJECTIVES: As patients recovering from the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) present with physical, respiratory, cognitive, nutritional, and swallowing-related impairments and mental health complications, their rehabilitation needs are complex. This study aimed to describe the demographic, clinical, and functional status after the discharge of COVID-19 survivors who underwent intensive multidisciplinary inpatient rehabilitation at the Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Institute of the University of Sao Paulo Medical School General Hospital and Lucy Montoro Rehabilitation Institute. We determined the most important factors related to the length of inpatient rehabilitation treatment and present the functional outcomes. METHODS: This was a retrospective study based on electronic medical records. In addition to the severity of COVID-19 and length of hospital stay for the management of COVID-19 and comorbidities, we collected sociodemographic data including age, sex, height, and weight. Functional assessments were performed using the Functional Independence Measure (FIM); Short Physical Performance Battery; Montreal Cognitive Assessment; Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale; Revised Impact of Events Scale; bioelectrical impedance; Functional Oral Intake Scale; oropharyngeal dysphagia classification; and nutritional assessment. RESULTS: There was a significant improvement in FIM before and after inpatient rehabilitation treatment (p<0.0001). Muscle strength and walking capacity were significantly improved (p<0.01). The most important factors related to the length of inpatient rehabilitation treatment were improvement in FIM scores (Spearman's r=0.71) and gain in lean mass (Spearman's r=0.79). CONCLUSIONS: Rehabilitation of patients after COVID-19 recovery improves their functional status and should be considered in the post-acute phase for selected patients with COVID-19.

Rehabilitation of patients after COVID-19 recovery: an experience at the physical and rehabilitation medicine Institute and Lucy Montoro Rehabilitation Institute

OBJECTIVES: As patients recovering from the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) present with physical, respiratory, cognitive, nutritional, and swallowing-related impairments and mental health complications, their rehabilitation needs are complex. This study aimed to describe the demographic, clinical, and functional status after the discharge of COVID-19 survivors who underwent intensive multidisciplinary inpatient rehabilitation at the Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Institute of the University of Sao Paulo Medical School General Hospital and Lucy Montoro Rehabilitation Institute. We determined the most important factors related to the length of inpatient rehabilitation treatment and present the functional outcomes. METHODS: This was a retrospective study based on electronic medical records. In addition to the severity of COVID-19 and length of hospital stay for the management of COVID-19 and comorbidities, we collected sociodemographic data including age, sex, height, and weight. Functional assessments were performed using the Functional Independence Measure (FIM); Short Physical Performance Battery; Montreal Cognitive Assessment; Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale; Revised Impact of Events Scale; bioelectrical impedance; Functional Oral Intake Scale; oropharyngeal dysphagia classification; and nutritional assessment. RESULTS: There was a significant improvement in FIM before and after inpatient rehabilitation treatment (p<0.0001). Muscle strength and walking capacity were significantly improved (p<0.01). The most important factors related to the length of inpatient rehabilitation treatment were improvement in FIM scores (Spearman's r=0.71) and gain in lean mass (Spearman's r=0.79). CONCLUSIONS: Rehabilitation of patients after COVID-19 recovery improves their functional status and should be considered in the post-acute phase for selected patients with COVID-19.