Characteristics and Outcomes of COVID-19 Survivors Requiring Inpatient Rehabilitation A Comparison of Two Waves

ObjectiveMany survivors of severe or critical COVID-19 have required rehabilitation during the pandemic. The primary objective was to compare characteristics and outcomes of survivors of severe or critical COVID-19 admitted to the inpatient rehabilitation facility during the first two waves of the pandemic. Our secondary objective was to identify the factors contributing to functional dependence on admission, discharge, and length of stay.DesignThis is a retrospective cohort study of 138 patients admitted to an inpatient rehabilitation facility in two waves after hospitalization for severe or critical COVID-19 illness between April 1, 2020, and May 3, 2021.ResultsInpatient rehabilitation facility patients in wave 2 had significantly greater functional independence (GG scores) on admission (52; interquartile range, 44-58 vs 41; interquartile range, 28-52), lower incidence of dysphagia and anemia. The patients in both waves experienced similar functional improvement efficiencies with a median GG score change of 3.6 per day and similar discharge GG scores. Neurological sequela (odds ratio, 0.12; P < 0.001) and anemia (odds ratio, 1.35; P < 0.002) were identified as independent predictors of functional independence on admission.ConclusionsPatients with functional deficits after COVID-19 should be considered for acute inpatient rehabilitation as both patient cohorts benefited from their inpatient rehabilitation facility stays with similar length of stays (11-12 days) and discharge to home rates (88%-90%).

Automated summary

This retrospective cohort study compared the characteristics and outcomes of survivors of severe or critical COVID-19 admitted to an inpatient rehabilitation facility during the first two waves of the pandemic. It found that patients in the second wave had higher functional independence on admission, lower incidence of dysphagia and anemia. Neurological sequela and anemia were identified as independent predictors of functional independence on admission. In conclusion, patients with functional deficits after COVID-19 should be considered for acute inpatient rehabilitation as both patient cohorts benefited from their stays in the rehabilitation facility.