Patient characteristics according to their PCFS Scale Score
| PCFS n (%) | 0 36 (30) | 1 35 (29) | 2 35 (29) | 3–4* 15 (12) |
| Age, years, mean±SD | 57±12 | 57±11 | 59±11 | 59±13 |
| Women, n (%) | 12 (33) | 13 (37) | 13 (37) | 7 (47) |
| Body mass index, kg/m2, n (%) | ||||
| 18–24 | 6 (17) | 11 (31) | 8 (23) | 3 (20) |
| 25–30 | 19 (53) | 15 (43) | 10 (29) | 6 (40) |
| >30 | 11 (31) | 9 (26) | 17 (49) | 6 (40) |
| Current or former smokers, n (%) | 20 (56) | 19 (54) | 16 (46) | 7 (47) |
| Comorbidities†, n (%) | 20 (56) | 20 (57) | 23 (47) | 7 (47) |
| Total duration of hospitalisation, days, median (IQR) | 11 (7; 15) | 9 (6; 16) | 13 (7; 29) | 14 (9; 25) |
| ICU stay, n (%) | 14 (39) | 17 (49) | 16 (46) | 10 (67) |
| Duration of ICU stay, days, median (IQR) | 10 (5; 19) (n=14) | 9 (6; 14) (n=17) | 18 (10; 29) (n=16) | 5 (2; 17)(n=10) |
| Mechanical ventilation, n (%) | 9 (25) | 9 (26) | 11 (31) | 4 (27) |
| Mechanical ventilation duration, days, median (IQR) | 13 (6; 15) (n=9) | 9 (7; 20) (n=9) | 18 (9; 24) (n=10) | 11 (7; 19) (n=4) |
| Total duration of oxygen therapy, days, median (IQR) | 9 (6; 19) | 9 (4; 16) | 12 (6; 25) | 13 (7; 21) |
| Corticosteroids, n (%) | 19 (53) | 21 (60) | 17 (49) | 9 (60) |
| Rehabilitation‡, n (%) | 8 (22) | 8 (23) | 11 (31) | 6 (40) |
| Weekly activity duration before COVID-19, min, median (IQR) | 60 (0; 120) (n=29) | 120 (60; 240) (n=25) | 60 (0; 180) (n=26) | 120 (0; 180) (n=11) |
The PCFS Scale assesses patient-relevant functional limitations: grade 0 reflects the absence of any functional limitation. Upward of grade 1, symptoms, pain or anxiety are present to an increasing degree. This has no effect on activities for patients in grade 1, whereas a lower intensity of the activities is required for those in grade 2. Grade 3 accounts for inability to perform certain activities, forcing patients to structurally modify these. Finally, grade 4 is reserved for those patients with severe functional limitations requiring assistance with activities of daily living.6
*Patients in categories # 3 (n=13) and 4 (n=2) were merged.
†History of chronic respiratory disease, chronic cardiac disease, arterial hypertension, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, immunodepression, psychiatric disease and thromboembolic disease.
‡Includes patients who underwent respiratory rehabilitation as well as standard recovery centres following discharge.
ICU, intensive care unit; PCFS, Post-COVID-19 Functional Status.