Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19 and Neurological Complications Experience More Frequent Decline in Functioning and Greater Rehabilitation Needs

The coronavirus disease 2019 has been reported to cause various serious neurological sequelae. However, there is little information available about the impact of the disease and its complications on patients' functional status and their postacute needs. Hence, this study was performed to address the current gap in knowledge about the function and postacute needs of those with neurological complications of coronavirus disease 2019. A prospective chart review was completed for 319 patients admitted with coronavirus disease 2019 between March 4 and May 1, 2020. Primary outcomes included rate of new functional decline, discharge location, need for outpatient physical/occupational/speech therapy, need for durable medical equipment at discharge, and presence of dysphagia at discharge. Patients with neurological complications were compared with patients without neurological complications. Two hundred ninety-six cases were included in the final analysis, and 81 (27.4%) of these patients experienced neurological complications. Results indicated that hospitalized coronavirus disease 2019 patients with neurological complications exhibit a significantly longer length of stay, higher frequency of functional decline, higher mortality rate, and more frequent discharge to a subacute rehabilitation facility (all P < 0.0001). The findings of this study are expected to better prepare patients, providers, and health systems for the postacute needs of those with coronavirus disease 2019 and neurological complications.