Adults[/B] over 50 who have mild or moderate symptoms with Covid-19 are at higher risk of developing mobility and physical function problems even though they did not require hospitalization to treat the disease. This was the conclusion of new research by scientists at Dalhousie University and other Canadian universities.
The research focuses on the problems that middle-aged and older people who became ill with Covid-19 may experience without needing hospitalization, and finds that many patients who become mildly ill then experience persistent and worrisome symptoms.
The study was conducted in a sample of 24,000 people over 50 years in Canada during the initial phase of the lockdown in 2020 and the results were published in JAMA Network Open.
The mobility issues the researchers looked at included difficulty getting up from a sitting position, walking up and down stairs unassisted, and walking three blocks, as well as the participant's ability to get around the house, do household chores, and exercise.
Participants with Covid-19 were twice as likely to have worsening functional and physical function compared to those without Covid-19, although most had mild or moderate symptoms. Of the total 2,748 with confirmed or suspected disease, 94% were not hospitalized.
People with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 were twice as likely to have deterioration in their ability to do household chores as well as exercise compared with those without COVID-19. Similar results were found for people suspected of having COVID-19.
The survey results showed that mobility problems were higher in people who were older, lower income, had three or more chronic diseases, a low level of physical activity, and a poor quality diet.
The researchers explain that emphasis should be placed on developing rehabilitation strategies for Covid-19 patients who were not hospitalized but still need support for their mobility and physical functioning.
In conclusion, the researchers note that more research is needed on the long-term effects of Covid-19 on patients' functioning and stress the need to implement effective interventions to address the persistent deficits in mobility and functionality of those who became ill.
Source: ygeiamou.gr
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs Cyprus Times
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or Cyprus Times
Source
