Functional evaluation in patient with critical SARS-CoV-2 disease: Cohort study in a third level hospital rehabilitation unit

• Published in: Rehabilitacion Vol. 57; no. 4; p. 100779
• Main Authors: Díaz-Cano Carmona, I, López Lozano, A M, Pérez Rastrollo, F J, Moreno Moreno, A M, Barrera Chacón, J M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Spanish
• Published: Spain 01-10-2023
• Subjects: Cohort Studies; COVID-19; Female; Hospitals; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Physical Therapy Modalities; SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; Post-COVID sequelae; SARS-CoV-2; Secuelas post-COVID; Desacondicionamiento físico; Drop foot; Pie caído; Physical deconditioning; Rehabilitation; Rehabilitación
• ISSN: 1578-3278
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rh.2022.100779

SARS-COV-2 pneumonia is a highly contagious respiratory disease that causes respiratory, physical and psychological dysfunctions. We present the results of patient assessment when they were discharged from the ICU.
Cohort study of patients affected by SARS-COV-2 pneumonia admitted to the intensive care unit from 01/10/2020 to 31/07/2021. We collect sociodemographic data, personal history, ICU and hospital stay, Barthel, FAC and mMRC (pre-admission/initial assessment/discharge), development of osteomuscular and/or neurological pathology and need for rehabilitation treatment.
A total of 341 patients were evaluated, of which 224 met criteria. The average age was 63 years (68.75% men). Mean ICU/hospital stay were 27/44 days. They were assessed by physiatry, after that, we provide a guide developed by physiatry, solving doubts about the disease and setting exercises of intensity and progressive difficulty, to be carried out during the admission and at home. Neurological pathology was present at 42.86% patients, of whom a 83.33% were peripheral nervous system disease. The total of the sample needed respiratory physiotherapy and a 72.32% motor physiotherapy.
In our study, a high number of patients have needed rehabilitation treatment in order to get functional recovery, highlighting the development of post-COVID neurological pathology. SARS-COV-2 generates other complications, not only respiratory, subsidiary to be assessed and treated by rehabilitation services for a comprehensive recovery that minimizes sequelae.