Scientific Reports (Sep 2023)

Physical function and mental health trajectories in COVID-19 patients following invasive mechanical ventilation: a prospective observational study

  • Hiromasa Yamamoto,
  • Shinya Tanaka,
  • Daisuke Kasugai,
  • Miho Shimizu,
  • Yohei Tsuchikawa,
  • Yuto Hori,
  • Yuki Fugane,
  • Takayuki Inoue,
  • Motoki Nagaya,
  • Norihito Omote,
  • Michiko Higashi,
  • Takanori Yamamoto,
  • Naruhiro Jingushi,
  • Atsushi Numaguchi,
  • Yukari Goto,
  • Yoshihiro Nishida

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-41684-3
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13, no. 1
pp. 1 – 11

Abstract

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Abstract This prospective observational cohort study was performed to investigate the physical function and mental health trajectories of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients requiring invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) after discharge from the intensive care unit (ICU). The study population consisted of 64 patients (median age, 60 years; 85.9% male; median IMV duration, 9 days). At ICU discharge, 28.1% of the patients had Medical Research Council (MRC) sum score < 48 points, and prolonged IMV was significantly associated with lower MRC sum score and handgrip strength. Symptoms were similar between groups at ICU discharge, and the symptoms most commonly reported as moderate-to-severe were impaired well-being (52%), anxiety (43%), tiredness (41%), and depression (35%). Although muscle strength and mobility status were significantly improved after ICU discharge, Edmonton Symptom Assessment System score did not improve significantly in the prolonged IMV group. EuroQol five-dimension five-level summary index was significantly lower in the prolonged than short IMV group at 6 months after ICU discharge. We found substantial negative physical function and mental health consequences in the majority of surviving COVID-19 patients requiring IMV, with prolonged period of IMV showing greater negative effects not only immediately but also at 6 months after discharge from the ICU.