Predictors of Functional Impairment in Severe COVID-19 Patients Two Months After Discharge

The Post-COVID-19 Functional Status (PCFS) scale is a validated tool used to measure the functional status of patients discharged from the hospital.

To describe the functional limitations of hospitalized COVID-19 patients at the time of discharge and two months afterward, and to identify risk factors associated with functional impairment.

Retrospective study.

A total of 540 patients were included in this monocentric study. The functional status assessment using the PCFS scale and ventilatory needs were recorded at discharge and two months later. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed in order to identify the risk factors of a high PCFS score.

Two months after discharge, the PCFS grade was 0 in 60,6% of the survivors, 1 in 24.5%, 2 in 6.9%, 3 in 2.8%, and 4 in 5.3%. The identified risk factors of a high PCFS scale were: age, arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, immunosuppression, cardiovascular disease, high need for oxygen and high News2 score at admission, a high percentage of ground glass at chest CT scan performed at admission or during follow-up, elevated leukocytes, neutrophils, LDH, D-dimers, procalcitonin, and serum creatinine levels. During the hospital stay, treatment with steroids, tocilizumab, longer duration of hospitalization, ICU admission and prolonged stay, and the occurrence of thromboembolic or hemorrhagic events were also significantly associated with a higher PCFS. Multivariate analysis identified that only age and a high News2 score at admission were independent risk factors of a low PCFS score.

Multiple risk factors for a higher PCFS score were identified, but only age and a high News2 score at admission were found to be independent risk factors.