Independence in Avd's and quality of life in elderly survivors of covid-19 in the rural area of Coroatá-MA

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 is a disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, belonging to a Coronaviridae family whose viruses infect ani-mals and, with few exceptions, can infect humans. OBJECTIVE: To assess the level of dependence in activities of daily living and quality of life in elderly survivors of COVID-19 in the rural area of Coroatá-MA and verify whether there is an association between the level of independence in daily living and quality of life. METHODOLOGY: This is a cross-sectional and descriptive study with a quantitative approach, with data collection through a questionnaire applied to the elderly for-merly affected by COVID-19 through a questionnaire divided into two sessions, the first session consisting of sociodemographic and econo-mic variables and the second consisting of physical health variables such as the presence of self-reported comorbidities and assessment of Independence in Activities of Daily Living (EIAVD) by the Katz Scale and quality of life by the SF-36. As this is a study with convenience sam-pling, only elderly people who met at the residence were interviewed. Statistical analysis was performed using Student's t-test to obtain independent samples. Pearson's correlation coefficient was established between the Kartz index and the SF-36 questionnaire. RESULTS: 20 elderly survivors of COVID-19 participated in the study. Age ranged from 61 to 86 years, with a mean of 70.45 ± 8.15 years. According to the Katz scale, 85% of the elderly were characterized as independent in the six functions (bathing, dressing, using the bathroom, transferen-ce, continence, and feeding), and 15% were independent in 5 functions (bathing. getting dressed, using the toilet, transferring, and feeding). In terms of quality of life, the participants had an average score below 60 (53,04±10,55 e p≤0,0001). The correlation between the SF-36 test score and the Katz Index was performed using the Pearson p test, with no statistically significant difference (p = 0.599), presenting the correlation coefficient-0.125, considered a weak correlation, according to the Cohen scale. CONCLUSION: The elderly has a good level of functionality according to the Katz scale. However, there is a significant decline in their quality of life according to the SF-36 questionnaire. Physical therapy is an indispensable alternative for the prevention and rehabilitation of these patients.