PM R. 2021 May 22. doi: 10.1002/pmrj.12645. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Rehabilitation outcomes of COVID-19 patients are unknown.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to describe COVID-19 patients undergoing inpatient rehabilitation and their rehabilitation outcomes.
METHODS: Retrospective observational cohort study of all inpatients from a rehabilitation hospital between March 1 and September 30, 2020. Inclusion criteria are: ≥18 years of age and admission and discharge within the study time frame. The initial search yielded 920 patients; 896 met the inclusion criteria. Data was derived from the eRehabData database. Subjects were stratified by COVID-19 status and rehabilitation impairment. Data included age, gender, body mass index (BMI), length of stay (LOS), discharge location, and functional ability measures for self-care and mobility (FA-SC, FA-Mob). Descriptive statistics included age, BMI, gender, LOS, and discharge location. One-sample t-tests were used to assess the difference of age, BMI, LOS, FA-SC, FA-Mob, and FA efficiency between COVID-19+ and COVID-19- patients.
RESULTS: COVID-19+ patients were younger (59·4 years vs 62·9 years; t(894)= -2·05, p=0·04) with a higher mean BMI (32 vs 28; t(894)= 3·51, p<0·01) than COVID-19- patients. COVID-19+ patients had equivalent or superior improvements in FA-SC and FA-Mob, functional change efficiency, and LOS than COVID-19- patients. Comparing Medically Complex patients, those with COVID-19 had greater FA-SC and FA-Mob efficiencies than COVID-19- patients. COVID-19+ patients had similar rates of return to the community.
CONCLUSIONS: Patients with COVID-19 who meet the admission criteria for inpatient rehabilitation can benefit from inpatient rehabilitation similarly to their non-COVID-19 counterparts with similar rehabilitation-specific diagnoses. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
PMID:34021974 | DOI:10.1002/pmrj.12645