Health status in survivors older than 70 years after hospitalization with COVID-19: observational follow-up study at 3 months

Purpose To analyze factors associated with mortality at 3 months and readmissions, functional and cognitive decline, anorexia and affective disorders in patients aged > 70 years surviving after hospital admission for SARS-CoV-2. Methods Patients aged > 70 years, discharged after hospitalization with COVID-19. Outcome variables:mortality, readmissions, functional and cognitive impairment, anorexia and mood disorder. Results 165 cases at 3 months after hospital discharge, 8.5% died and 20% required at least one hospital readmission. The presence of severe dependence at discharge (BI < 40) was associated at 3 months with a higher risk of mortality (OR 5.08; 95% CI 1.53-16.91) and readmissions (OR 4.53; 95% CI 1.96-10.49). The post-hospitalization functional deterioration was associated with persistence of deterioration at 3 months (OR 24.57; 95% CI 9.24-65.39), cognitive deterioration (OR 2.32; 95% CI 1.03-5.25) and affective (OR 4.40; 95% CI 1.84-10.55) Conclusions Loss function in older people after hospitalization by COVID-19 may contribute to identify patients with a higher risk of sequelae in the short term that require closer follow-up. Key summary pointsAim To describe associations between functionality, frailty, comorbidity, cognitive and affective status and mortality in a cohort of survivors older patients after hospital admission for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Findings Severe frailty pre-admission and severe functional dependency at discharge were associated with an increased risk of mortality and readmission at three months. In addition, high comorbidity or the need for readmission was also associated with mortality at 3 months. Message The knowledge of Health status in older people after hospitalization for COVID-19, means that its early detection can contribute to the selection of patients with greater risk of sequelae in the short term that require more careful follow-up.