One-Year Functional Decline in COVID-19 and Non-COVID-19 Critically Ill Survivors: A Prospective Study Incorporating a Pre-ICU Status Assessment

Abstract

We aimed to describe the one-year (1-y) functional status of survivors of COVID-19 critical illness, compared to non-COVID-19 survivors, and compared to their pre-ICU status. Adults who survived a COVID-19 critical illness (COVID group) during the first two waves in 2 hospitals were contacted by phone 1-y after discharge. They were compared to non-COVID-19 ICU survivors. A standardized assessment focused on quality of life (EQ-5D-3L), autonomy for activities of daily living (Barthel Index), and physical activity quantification (IPAQ-SF). Patients rated their 1-y and pre-ICU status. We included 220 survivors (132 COVID and 88 NC). Their age and severity scores were similar. ICU stay was shorter in NC group (3 [3–6] d) than in COVID group (8 [4.2–16.7] d) (p = 0.001). Proportions of organ supports were similar in the two groups. At 1-y, a significant reduction in EQ-5D-3L total score, in Barthel Index and in physical activity was observed in both groups, compared to the respective baseline values. Dependency (Barthel < 100) was observed in at least 35% of survivors at 1-y. Independently of the critical illness, HRQoL, autonomy and physical activities at 1-y were still significantly inferior to the pre-ICU values.