Characteristics of Frailty in Perimenopausal Women with Long COVID-19.

The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of risk factors for frailty between perimenopausal women with long COVID-19 syndrome, women having successfully recovered from COVID-19, and controls from the community. Women with a diagnosis of long COVID-19 and at least one symptom related to the perimenopausal period, women who had successfully recovered from COVID-19, and healthy women of comparable age were included in this study. Symptom severity and functional disability were assessed with the COVID-19 Yorkshire Rehabilitation Scale, and the presence of frailty was evaluated considering the Fried criteria. A total of 195 women were included in the study, distributed over the three groups. The long COVID-19 group showed a higher prevalence of perimenopausal symptoms and impact of COVID-19. Statistically significant differences were found between the long COVID-19 group and the other two groups for the frailty variables. When studying the associations between frailty variables and COVID-19 symptom impact, significant positive correlations were found. Perimenopausal women with long COVID-19 syndrome present more frailty-related factors and experience a higher range of debilitating ongoing symptoms. A significant relationship is shown to exist between long COVID-19 syndrome-related disability and symptoms and frailty variables, resulting in an increased chance of presenting disability.

Effectiveness of an individualized comprehensive rehabilitation program in women with chronic knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the short- and medium-term effects of an 8-week individualized comprehensive rehabilitation program in women with chronic knee osteoarthritis as regards functionality, physical performance, and perceived health status. METHODS: Women with chronic knee osteoarthritis were randomly assigned to the aquatic training group or to the individualized comprehensive rehabilitation (ICR) group. The main outcomes were functionality assessed with the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, physical performance assessed with the Timed Up and Go test and the Stair Climbing Test, and perceived health status evaluated with the European Quality of Life- 5 Dimensions questionnaire. Participants were assessed after the treatment and at 3-month follow-up. RESULTS: Forty participants were included in the study. After the treatment, there were no significant between- group differences. At 3-month follow-up, there were significant between-group differences in functionality (stiffness P = 0.049, function P = 0.005, and total subscores P = 0.048) and physical performance (Timed Up and Go P = 0.031 and Stair Climbing Test P = 0.046) in favor of the ICR group. CONCLUSION: An 8-week ICR program improved functionality, physical performance, and perceived health status compared with an aquatic training program in women with chronic knee osteoarthritis.