Presenter: Miriam Haaksma (Leiden University Medical Center) 

Abstract for the International workshop on COVID-19 and Long-Term Care systems: What have we learnt and what policies do we need to strengthen LTC systems?, 6 and 7th December 2021

Watch the presentation (see 2:00):

Abstract

Introduction: After COVID-19 infection, some older adults will require rehabilitation. The aims of the study are to gain insight into recovery of older COVID-19 patients during and after stay at a rehabilitation department, and into the content of post-COVID-19 rehabilitation in various European countries.

Methods: A longitudinal observational multicenter study on care and recovery of post-COVID-19 patients in geriatric rehabilitation. Regular care data is being collected at 4 timepoints: at admission, at discharge, 6 weeks and 6 months after discharge from the rehabilitation department. Data collection includes medical history, symptoms, functional status (Barthel Index), quality of life (EQ-5D-5L), length of stay, etc. 

Results: More than 700 participants are included in the study. Median rehabilitation length is 25 days (IQR 16-38) and 75% of the patients is discharged home. The Barthel Index and the EQ-5D-5L score are increased at discharge and follow-up, compared to admission to geriatric rehabilitation. This pattern is comparable across all countries. 

Conclusion: Substantial recovery in functioning and quality of life is observed during and after rehabilitation in older post-COVID-19 patients. 

Co-authors: prof. Wilco P. Achterberg, MD PhD¹, Miriam Haaksma PhD¹, Lisa S. van Tol MSc.¹, Monique A.A. Caljouw PhD¹

Collaborators: Stefan Grund², Adam Gordon³, Jos Schols⁴, Kseniia Eruslanova⁵, Matteo Cesari⁶, Bahaa Francis⁷, Frances Dockery⁸, L. Mónica Pérez Bazán⁹, Eva Topinková¹⁰, Mark Vassallo¹¹

Affiliations: ¹Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands, ²Center for Geriatric Medicine,Heidelberg University, Agaplesion Bethanien Krankenhaus Heidelberg, Germany, ³Center for Geriatric Medicine,Heidelberg University, Agaplesion Bethanien Krankenhaus Heidelberg, Germany, ⁴Department of Health Services Research, Focusing on Value-based Care and Ageing and Department of Family Medicine, Caphri – Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, 6200 Maastricht, The Netherlands, ⁵Russian Clinical and Research Center of Gerontology, Moscow, Russia, ⁶IRCCS Istituti Clinici Maugeri, Milan, Italy, ⁷Fliman Geriatric Rehabilitation Centre, Technion Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel, ⁸Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland, ⁹Parc Sanitari Pere Virgili, Barcelona, Spain, ¹⁰Vseobecna fakultní nemocnice, Prague, Czech Republic, ¹¹Karin Grech Hospital, Pieta-Malta 

In collaboration with The Special Interest Group (SIG) for geriatric rehabilitation of the European Geriatric Medicine Society (EuGMS). 

Twitter handles of authors/institutions involved:

@MiriamHaaksma @LisaSvanTol @wilcoachterberg @UNC-ZH @LUMC_Leiden @adamgordon1978 @lmonicapb @StudioGRZ @EuGMSSociety @macesari

To find out more about the study:

https://www.lumc.nl/org/unc-zh/English/Research/GeriatricRehabilitation/EU_COGER_ENGLISHpage/

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12603-021-1607-5