Exploring the impact of comorbidities in individuals after a Covid hospital admission or community infection in those referred to a rehabilitation programme

Introduction: Following a SARS-CoV-2(COVID)infection,individuals often present with complex needs and multiple comorbidities. However, it is currently unknown if comorbidities differ between those who were hospitalised or remained in the community during their covid infection. Aim: To explore the baseline characteristics and impact of comorbidities in individuals who were hospitalised or managed their covid infection at home and referred into a Covid Rehabilitation programme (CoR). Methods: An observational cohort analysis of individuals who attended a CoR assessment between July 2020 and November 2021. Routine characteristics including age, gender, BMI, ethnicity and significant comorbidities were collected. Results: 466 individuals (age: 54 ± 14 yrs; BMI:7.4 ±30kg/m2;Female: 271[58%],White British: 296[64%], South Asian:111[26%],Other Ethnic groups:36[9.1%])were assessed. Those who were hospitalised had more comorbidities than those in the community;Median IQR1(1-2) vs 2 (1-4); p<0.05. The top 5 comorbidities were different in each group; Hospital: Total 544;Respiratory (n=101; 18.6%), Metabolic (100; 18.4%), Vascular (79; 14.5%), MSK (72; 13.2%), Psychiatric (71; 19%) and Community: Total: 391; Psychiatric (97; 25%), MSK (72; 19.5%), Respiratory (74; 19%), Metabolic (38; 9.7%), Gastroenterology (38; 9.7%). Conclusion: Patients who were hospitalised had more comorbidities than the community referrals. It will be important to consider these comorbidities when assessing for and delivering CoR.