Mild & Moderate COVID-19 Doubles Risk Of Reduced Mobility For Older Adults
Middle age and older Canadian adults (age 50 and older) who had recovered from mild and moderate infections with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were nearly twice as likely to have functional mobility problems compared to people of the same ages who had not had COVID-19. The findings were based on outcomes of 2,748 people living in the community who had COVID-19 (confirmed, probable, or suspected) between April 15 and September 2020. Most had mild to moderate disease and were not hospitalized. The researchers said the findings indicate that people diagnosed with COVID-19 even without hospitalization may need interventions to address mobility problems that arose after having COVID-19.
Of the 2,748 people with suspected COVID-19, 121 had confirmed or probable COVID-19. About 93.3% of those with confirmed or probable COVID-19 were not hospitalized. Compared to those who did not have COVID-19, the likelihood of worsening functional mobility varied as follows:
- 89% more likely to report difficulties engaging in household activities
- 91% more likely to report problems with physical activity
- 60% more likely to have difficulties moving around in their homes
- 133% more likely to have difficulty standing up after sitting in a chair
- 55% more likely to have difficulty walking alone up and down a flight of stairs
For those with suspected COVID-19, the likelihood of worsening functional mobility varied as follows:
- 109% more likely report difficulties engaging in household activities
- 78% more likely to report problems with physical activity
- 130% more likely to have difficulties moving around in their homes
- 70% more likely to have difficulty standing up after sitting in a chair
- 95% more likely to have difficulty walking alone up and down a flight of stairs
- 80% more likely to have difficulty walking two-to-three neighborhood blocks
These findings were reported in “Assessment of Functional Mobility After COVID-19 in Adults Aged 50 Years or Older in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging” by Marla K. Beauchamp, Ph.D.; Divya Joshi, Ph.D.; Jacqueline McMillan, M.D.; and colleagues. They analyzed cohort study used data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) COVID-19 study. For comparison, they also reviewed pre-pandemic data from the first CLSA follow-up in 2015 to 2018. The responses were from middle-aged and older community-dwelling participants residing in Canadian provinces. The researchers evaluated the association between a COVID-19 diagnosis and change in mobility and physical function of adults age 50 and older. About 42% of the participants were 65 and older, and 58% were between 50 and 64 years. Of the 24,114 participants who completed the COVID-19 exit questionnaire, 2,748 individuals had confirmed, probable or suspected COVID-19.
The full text of “Assessment of Functional Mobility After COVID-19 in Adults Aged 50 Years or Older in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging” was published January 12, 2022, by JAMA Network Open. An abstract is available online at https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2787975.
For more information, contact:
- Parminder Raina, Ph.D., Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street, 309A McMaster Innovation Park, West Hamilton, Ontario Canada; L8S 4K1; Email: praina@mcmaster.ca; Website: https://mira.mcmaster.ca/team/bio/parminder-raina
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