Avaliação da capacidade funcional da pessoa idosa pós-Covid-19

Abstract

Introduction: COVID-19 is recognized as a respiratory disease that has high transmissibility and global distribution, with elderly people being the group most at risk of developing complications, with the potential for weaknesses. Objective: To evaluate the implications of COVID-19 on the functional status of elderly people after acute infection and identify factors associated with functional impairment. Method: The study was divided into two stages: 1) scoping review, conducted according to the method proposed by the Joanna Briggs Institute. The literature search took place from December 2022 to February 2023 in the Cochrane Library databases; PubMed; Scopus and Web of Science. The descriptors contained in the Health Science Descriptors (DecS) and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) were used; 2) descriptive, cross-sectional study, carried out in a Primary Health Care unit in the city of Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, with elderly people living in the post-covid-19 community. Data were collected regarding sociodemographic characteristics, nutritional status, lifestyle habits and health conditions, as well as the level of functional performance. Results: 1) 817 potentially eligible studies were identified. Of these, 12 were selected because they met the eligibility criteria. The complementary search allowed the inclusion of one more article, totaling 13 studies that made up the final sample. Post-COVID-19 functional impairment was present in most studies included in the sample. Factors associated with this decline included frailty and physical inactivity prior to infection, older age, complications during infection, length of mechanical ventilation and hospitalization, and comorbidities. 2) Among the 30 participants evaluated, a predominance of low functional performance was observed, with correlated factors including advanced age, female gender, multimorbidities and lack of physical activity. Final considerations: COVID-19 can cause negative outcomes in the functionality of elderly people, even after recovery, leading to limitations in the physical performance of activities of daily living. Therefore, the implementation of comprehensive care, structured in multidimensional assessment, is essential.