The Impact of Charlson Comorbidity Index on the Functional Capacity of COVID-19 Survivors: A Prospective Cohort Study with One-Year Follow-Up

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Jun 18;19(12):7473. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19127473.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the association between the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) score after discharge with 6-min walk test (6MWT) 1 year after discharge in a cohort of COVID-19 survivors. Methods: In this prospective study, data were collected from a consecutive sample of patients hospitalized for COVID-19. The CCI score was calculated from the comorbidity data. The main outcome was the distance walked in the 6MWT at 1 year after discharge. Associations between CCI and meters covered in the 6MWT were assessed through crude and adjusted linear regressions. The model was adjusted for possible confounding factors (sex, days of hospitalization, and basal physical capacity through sit-to-stand test one month after discharge). Results: A total of 41 patients were included (mean age 58.8 ± 12.7 years, 20/21 men/women). A significant association was observed between CCI and 6MWT (meters): (i) crude model: β = −18.7, 95% CI = −34.7 to −2.6, p < 0.05; (ii) model adjusted for propensity score including sex, days of hospitalization, and sit-to-stand: β = −23.0, 95% CI = −39.1 to −6.8, p < 0.05. Conclusions: A higher CCI score after discharge indicates worse performance on the 6MWT at 1-year follow-up in COVID-19 survivors. The CCI score could also be used as a screening tool to make important clinical decisions.

Keywords: comorbidity; coronavirus disease 2019; physical capacity; six-minute walk test.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • COVID-19* / complications
  • COVID-19* / diagnosis
  • Cohort Studies
  • Comorbidity
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Physical Functional Performance*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Survivors

Grants and funding

Rubén López-Bueno is supported by European Union—NextGeneration-EU. Rodrigo Núñez-Cortés is supported by the National Research and Development Agency of Chile (ANID/2020-72210026). The other authors have nothing to disclose.