Characteristics Associated with Long-Term Outcomes in Severe COVID-19 Patients after a Post-Acute Care Hospitalization: A Prospective Cohort Study

To describe characteristics associated with long-term outcomes in severe COVID-19 patients admitted to a post-acute care facility (PACF). Prospective cohort. Consecutive severe COVID-19 admitted to a PACF from April 2020 to August 2021. Patients were followed for 180 days after discharge. Functional outcomes were measured by the modified Barthel index and further stratified into good outcome (for those independent, mildly dependent, or moderately dependent) and into bad outcome (for those severely dependent, completely dependent, or dead). Multivariate binary logistic regression was performed to evaluate between patients’ characteristics and long-term outcomes. A total of 186 patients admitted from 17 different acute hospitals were included. Median age was 67 years, 88% of patients were previously independent, 95% were admitted to the ICU, and 85% were mechanically ventilated during the acute hospitalization. Median (interquartile range) Barthel indexes at admission, discharge, and 180-day follow-up were 9 (1-23), 81 (45-92), and 100 (98-100) (P < .001), respectively. In addition, 180-day mortality was 17.2%. Baseline functional status, comorbidities, and functional status at admission to the PACF were associated with bad outcome at 180-day follow-up, after multivariate binary logistic regression. Patients with severe COVID-19 admitted to a PACF had substantial functional improvements at PACF discharge and during 180-day follow-up. These findings may help prognosticate and manage post-acute severe COVID-19 patients.