Functional status six months after hospital discharge of patients hospitalized due to COVID-19

Abstract

Objective: To investigate whether impaired functional status and symptoms of COVID-19 persist after six months in previously hospitalized patients. Methods: Analytical observational study with a qualitative approach, conducted in two stages and through telephone calls. In the first stage, an initial approach was made, and participants were invited 30 days after hospital discharge. The second stage, six months after this first contact, was the evaluation of the Functional Independence Measure (MIF). Results: Of the 110 patients initially admitted, 103 agreed to participate in the study. They were predominantly men, with an average of 45 years old. After six months, 64 participants were located and underwent the FIM assessment. The results indicate that the FIM domains, mobility and transfers, locomotion, and, notably, the social cognitive domain, especially the memory category, were those that showed impairment. However, the percentage of need for assistance in these tasks was low. Conclusion: Six months after COVID-19, the functional status of survivors did not show significant impairment, but some symptoms persisted after hospitalization and therefore the need for health services to readapt and create strategies to provide physical-functional recovery and complete social reintegration of these individuals.