Characteristics of Patients with Severe COVID-19 Pneumonia Who Could Walk Independently at the Time of Discharge

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to clarify the characteristics of patients who were hospitalized for severe COVID-19 pneumonia and discharged from hospital after they could walk independently. [Participants and Methods] We compared 112 patients who underwent ventilator management and rehabilitation in an intensive care unit, and divided them into two groups: the independent group (76 patients) and non-independent group (36 patients) according to whether they could walk at the time of discharge. [Results] The independent and non-independent groups differed significantly in age (55.8 ± 12.3 vs. 66.7 ± 13.0), delirium (12 vs. 12 patients), Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score (SOFA) score (7 vs. 8), ferritin (1813 vs. 1168 ng/mL) and duration of intubation (6.1 days vs. 11.1 days). [Conclusion] Age, presence of delirium, SOFA score, ferritin, and duration of intubation were associated with the ability of patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia to walk independently at discharge.