Adults over 50 who have mild or moderate symptoms with Covid-19 are at higher risk of developing mobility and physical function problems and did not even need hospitalization to treat the disease. This was the conclusion of a new study by scientists from Dalhousie University and other Canadian universities.
The research focuses on the problems that middle-aged and older people with the disease may have Covid-19, however, without the need for hospitalization and finds that many patients with mild illness then develop persistent and distressing symptoms.
The survey was conducted on a sample of 24.000 people over the age of 50 in Canada during the initial lockdown phase in 2020 and the results were published in the JAMA Network Open.
The mobility issues examined by the researchers were the difficulty of getting up from a sitting position, climbing stairs without assistance and walking three blocks, as well as the participant's ability to move around the house, do household chores and exercise.
Participants with Covid-19 they were twice as likely to have impaired functionality and physical function as those who did not Covid-19, although most had mild or moderate symptoms. Of the 2.748 with confirmed disease or suspected disease, 94% were not admitted to hospital.
Individuals with confirmed or probable COVID-19 were twice as likely to worsen their ability to do household chores as well as exercise compared to those without COVID-19. Similar results were found for suspects with COVID-19.
The results of the study showed that mobility problems were higher in older people, lower income, with three or more chronic diseases, low level of physical activity and poor quality diet.
Researchers explain that emphasis should be placed on developing rehabilitation strategies for patients with Covid-19 who have not been hospitalized, however need support for their mobility and physical function.
Finally, scientists point out that more research is needed on the long-term effects of Covid-19 in the functionality of patients and emphasize the need to implement effective interventions to address persistent deficits in mobility and functionality of patients.
Source: Ygeiamou.gr