Canter BE, Goebel R, Kulkarni V, Mak W, Falvey J, Boockvar K. Associations Between Eating, Mobility, and Toileting Functional Dependence and COVID-19 Symptoms.
J Am Med Dir Assoc 2024;
25:342-347.e4. [PMID:
38141663 DOI:
10.1016/j.jamda.2023.11.012]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
The first goal of this study was to explore associations between functional dependence levels during activities of daily living (eg, functional mobility, eating, and toileting) before COVID-19 and presence of COVID-19 symptoms (eg, fever, dehydration, lethargy, and shortness of breath) during illness. The second goal of this study was to explore associations between presence of specific COVID-19 symptoms and level of functional decline from before to after illness.
DESIGN
Retrospective cohort study.
SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS
A total of 375 residents at a single skilled nursing facility in New York City.
METHODS
Data were extracted from the Minimum Data Set 3.0 and chart reviews. Multiple linear regressions analyzed relationships between baseline functional dependence in eating, functional mobility, and toileting and presence of dehydration, lethargy, shortness of breath, and fever. Ordinal linear regressions analyzed associations between COVID-19 symptom presence and changes in functional dependence from before to after illness.
RESULTS
Pre-COVID-19 eating dependence was significantly associated with dehydration during COVID-19. Dehydration during COVID-19 was significantly associated with greater functional declines in functional mobility from before to after illness. Shortness of breath was significantly associated with increased functional declines in eating and functional mobility.
CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS
Patients with COVID-19 should be monitored for shortness of breath and dehydration, as these symptoms are associated with functional decline. Individuals experiencing functional decline before COVID-19 onset are especially vulnerable to these symptoms. Future research should further explore the relationship between functional status and COVID-19 symptoms.
Collapse