Abstract
Introduction: Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) has had lasting effects on the health of individuals, particularly older adults specially those with comorbidities, who are more vulnerable to severe and long term illness. Studying the post-COVID 19 period in the older population is relevant for understanding the long-term effects of the disease. There have been conflicting results on functional decline in Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) in post COVID 19 older adults compared to their pre-infection baseline. This study aimed to compare functionality in older people who have survived COVID 19 infection vs those who have never tested positive for COVID 19. Method: This study was a cross-sectional observational study. The primary objective was to compare functionality in the two groups, post COVID 19 and never tested positive for COVID 19. Both groups underwent detailed assessment via questionnaire which included socio-demographic details, functionality assessment, Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) and details regarding COVID 19 infection in those who suffered from the infection. Results: Analysis showed that both groups had no significant differences in median ADL (20 vs 20, p-value = 0.684) or IADL scores (5 vs 5, p-value = 0.181). The COVID 19 group had a higher prevalence of mild cases(70%). Between the two groups, the COVID 19 group had higher BMI (25.90 +4.45 vs 23.32 +3.62, p-value = 0.002) and education status(56% vs 20% graduate p-value = 0.001). There were no significant differences in the various domains on Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment.
Conclusion: Functionality did not differ significantly in the COVID 19 survivors vs those who never suffered from COVID 19. Of all the variables, higher Body Mass Index (BMI) and higher education status were associated considerably with COVID 19 infection.