FUNCTIONAL AND PSYCHOSOCIAL OUTCOMES ON PATIENTS WITH MODERATE-TO-SEVERE COVID-19 DISEASES: A POST-HOSPITALIZATION FOLLOW-UP STUDY

Intro: COVID-19 survivors suffer from variable limitations affecting their quality of life. We examined the functional and psychosocial outcomes among COVID-19 patients with moderate-to-severe diseases by three months post-hospitalization. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 510 COVID-19 patients admitted to Kepala Batas Hospital with moderate-to-severe diseases, requiring oxygen therapy during hospitalization (Malaysia COVID-19 severity category ≥5; WHO scale ≥5), between January and August 2021. We followed up with telephone surveillances by 90 days post-discharge from the hospital, assessing their performance in activities of daily living and psychosocial implications. Relevant clinical data were extracted from medical records. We compared patients with low (90% had their functionality returned to baseline before hospitalization. Only 1.6% required home oxygen supplementation. Compared with their baseline functionality, 4.8% were unable to perform basic household chores, 4.1% required assistance in mobilization and 2.5% became fully dependent on caretakers. Among 254 patients returning to work, 98% worked in the same institution but 18.9% required job scope adjustments. About 7.7% experienced post-covid stigma at home and/or work, 3,9% suffered from depression 5.7% became self-isolated and 0.9% had suicidal ideation or attempts. Functional and psychosocial outcomes were similar between patients with low and higher oxygen requirements (all p>0.05). Conclusion: Despite fair recovery outcomes reported by survivors with moderate-to-severe disease, a small proportion suffered from significant functional limitations and psychosocial adversity. Post-hospitalization care is essential to screen-detect post-COVID complications and provide timely interventions.