Background: Immediately after discharge from hospital, COVID-19 patients have poor physical function and impaired performance in activities of daily living. Persisting symptoms and cognitive impairments have been reported, but the long-term impact on objectively measured physical activity (PA) in patients hospitalized for COVID-19 is not clear. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted to compare objectively measured PA and physical function 12 months post discharge in patients who were hospitalized for COVID-19 with age- and sex-matched healthy controls and to elucidate the impact of ICU admission on these outcomes. PA was objectively assessed using accelerometry in patients, healthy controls, and in a subset of partners of patients. Additionally, lung function, physical function (six-minute walk distance (6 MWD) and isometric quadriceps and handgrip force), symptom experience, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) were evaluated in patients with and without ICU admission. Results: Included in the study were 101 patients (60 ± 10 years, 69% male), 36 healthy controls (60 ± 9 years, 58% male), and 14 partners (55 ± 8 years, 21% male). Daily step count and movement intensity (MI) during walking in patients were significantly lower compared with healthy controls (6726 ± 328 vs. 8155 ± 555 n.day−1, p = 0.03 and 1.99 ± 0.04 vs. 2.21 ± 0.07 min/s2.day−1, p = 0.005). PA levels of patients and their partners were comparable. Physical function, symptom experience, HRQoL, and PA levels were comparable in patients with and without ICU admission (p > 0.05). Daily step count was weakly positively associated with 6 MWD (r = 0.30). Conclusions: One year post discharge, patients had lower PA levels than healthy controls. ICU admission did not affect physical function, symptoms, HRQoL or activity levels.
Arents et al. (Tue,) studied this question.