A recent publication published in Critical Care out of the Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Research Centre has identified the significant ongoing effects of COVID-19.
The COVID-Recovery study, headed by Dr Carol Hodgson, identified that one in five people admitted to an Intensive Care Unit with COVID-19 had died 6-months from admission, with more than 70% of patients developing persistent symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue and loss of taste and smell.
This study provided results for about half of the patients admitted to Australian ICU’s with COVID-19 pneumonitis last year, with Monash Health supplying just under 10% of those patients – the 4th largest contributor to the study from the 28 units across Australia.
Michelle Paton, Monash Health Primary Investigator and Clinical Lead Physiotherapist for Critical Care and Surgical Services said this vital research will help develop appropriate care pathways for these sufferers.
“These patients were very different from our normal ICU cohort with many fit and active prior to admission, which makes the change in their function even more significant”, she reported.
The research showed at 6-months from admission, more than 40% were unable to complete “usual activities”, with a third suffering new mobility issues, ongoing pain and cognitive impairment and 20% identified as depressed.
If you would like to read the full publication you can find it here.