Predictors of functional dependence after COVID-19: A retrospective examination among veterans.

Leigh, Alexandra E; McCall, Jonathan; Burke, Rebecca V; Rome, Robin; Raines, Amanda M

OBJECTIVE To examine the impact of demographics, preexisting medical conditions, and in-hospital complications of COVID-19 infection on functional status at discharge.Design and ParticipantsA retrospective chart review was conducted on 119 patients hospitalized for COVID-19 infection between March 1, 2020 and April 20, 2020. Demographics, pre-existing medical conditions, and newly diagnosed COVID-19 complications were collected from electronic medical records and entered in a de-identified database.Main OutcomeOur primary outcome was functional status at discharge, as measured by independence in activities of daily living (ADLs). RESULTS Older age, respiratory failure, cardiac conditions, and thromboembolic complications all made a statistically significant contribution to functional dependence at discharge, with thromboembolic complications evincing the strongest association (OR = 25.58).Conclusion and RelevanceNew diagnosis of thrombosis during COVID-19 hospitalization, a measure of COVID-19 disease severity, was the factor most associated with dependence in ADLs at discharge. Interestingly, pre-existing conditions including hypertension, severe obesity, lung disease, and diabetes did not correlate with dependent functional status at discharge.