Associations of length of stay with frailty status and COVID-19 disease severity among older adults at a community treatment facility in Singapore

Background. Hospitalised older patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have an increased risk of poor health outcomes. We aimed to determine the associations of length of stay (LOS) with frailty status and disease severity among older patients admitted to a community treatment facility (CTF) in Singapore. Methods. Medical records of consecutive patients admitted to the CTF were retrospectively reviewed. Data retrieved included demographics, frailty LOS, 30-day readmission, disease severity, and functional statuses on admission and at discharge. Results. In total, 96 older patients (mean age, 80.3 years) were included. According to the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS), 26.0% were robust (CFS 1-3), 27.1% were mildly frail (CFS 4-5), and 46.9% were moderately/ severely frail (CFS 6-9). Compared with the robust and mildly frail groups, the moderately/severely frail group had more severe COVID-19 cases (p=0.033), longer LOS at the CTF (p=0.005), and fewer patients discharged home (p=0.01). Greater disease severity was associated with poorer frailty status (p=0.033), worsening of functional status at discharge (p=0.02), higher International Severe Acute Respiratory and emerging Infection Consortium score (p=0.031), and receipt of