Spaulding REhabilitation and COVid Recovery study (RECOVR): Preliminary Findings at 6 Months

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES: To identify distinct post-acute COVID-19 phenotypes among adults hospitalized for severe SARS-CoV-2 infection and describe multidimensional outcomes at 6 months post-hospitalization. DESIGN: Prospective, longitudinal data collection in functional, physical, cognitive, and psychological domains at 3, 6, and 12 months post-hospitalization. Retrospective data collection from the acute care and post-acute care settings. SETTING: Acute care and post-acute telephone follow-up. PARTICIPANTS: Spanish- and English-speaking adults, with decision-making capacity, admitted for inpatient rehabilitation following inpatient hospitalization for acute COVID-19 related illness (N = 52). INTERVENTIONS: N/A. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Physical, cognitive, and psychological symptoms; Self-reported employment status and assistance with ADLs. RESULTS: Median age was 60.96 (IQR = 20.89), with race/ethnicity representative of the US adult population (71% White; 13% Black; 27% Hispanic). Compared to premorbid status, 33% of individuals were no longer employed full-time and 23% were no longer independent in basic ADLs. Latent profile analysis identified distinct subgroups within physical, cognitive, and emotional domains of functioning. Approximately 31% were in either the moderately or most symptomatic groups for both cognitive and emotional functioning, with 88% of these also falling into the most symptomatic group for physical functioning. There were 29% in the least symptomatic group across all domains. CONCLUSIONS: Persons with severe COVID-19 illness experience persistent functional limitations that interfere with employment and ADLs up to 6 months post-hospitalization. Although symptom variability is high at 6 months, we identified distinct subgroups, including those with co-occurring emotional and cognitive symptoms, that suggest the need for comprehensive assessment and tailored treatment for physical, emotional, and cognitive symptoms. AUTHOR(S) DISCLOSURES: The author's declare no relevant conflict of interests.