Evolution of physical function, cognition, depressive mood, and quality of life during the Covid-19 pandemic in prefrail elderly people: A longitudinal cohort study (Covid-Mefap)

Confinement due to the COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on the living habits and health of the population, notably in the pre-frail elderly. This study aimed to study the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the physical function, mental function (cognition and mood), and quality of life of pre-frail elderly individuals over 70 years of age following confinement as well as to analyze the variables associated with the observed changes. METHODS: Observational study of a cohort of pre-frail community-dwelling older adults over 70 years of age during the COVID-19 pandemic conducted in primary care. Variables: The main outcome variables were recorded during face-to-face interviews between December 14 of 2020 and August 12 of 2021 using scales for the evaluation of physical function (Short Physical Performance Battery), cognition (Lobo's Mini-Examen Cognoscitivo), depressive mood (Geriatric Depression Scale), and quality of life (EuroQol-5D-3L). Covariates: sociodemographic data and variables related to the pandemic and general health (social support network, COVID-19 infection, exercising, and leisure activities) were also collected. Analysis: The Student's t-test for paired samples and multivariate linear regression models were employed for the statistical analyses. RESULTS: Ninety-two subjects were included in the study. Physical function, cognition, and depressive mood improved during the pandemic, whereas no changes were observed in quality of life. Suffering from COVID-19 was associated with deterioration of the cognitive function (−1.460; CI95%: −2.710 to −0.211). CONCLUSION: Confinement due to the COVID-19 pandemic was not associated with a decline in physical function, cognition, depressive mood, or quality of life in pre-frail individuals over 70 years of age.