Functional Status and Long COVID-19 Symptoms in Post-COVID-19 Infected Individuals: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract Background: The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and subsequent long COVID-19 have placed an added burden on persons with disabilities (PwDs), potentially exacerbating health inequalities. This study aimed to assess functional limitations and long-term COVID-19 symptoms in a cohort of post-COVID-19 infected (PCI) individuals, with descriptive findings reported for a subgroup of PwDs. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in New Delhi (October 2021–April 2023). Adults with confirmed COVID-19 at least 4 weeks prior were enrolled from the outpatient department. Functional status was assessed using the Post-COVID-19 Functional Status (PCFS) scale and the Barthel Index (pre- and post-COVID-19). Long COVID-19 symptoms were identified using the long COVID-19 Symptom Tool. Results: Among the 54 participants, 8 were PwDs. Functional limitations were observed in 68.52% of the participants, with 18.52% experiencing moderate limitations (PCFS Grade 3). Barthel Index scores declined significantly post-COVID-19 (99.63 ± 1.32, 95.46 ± 11.04; P = 0.006). Long COVID-19 symptoms were reported in 72.22% of the patients. Exploratory analysis of the small PwDs subgroup ( n = 8) suggested a similar overall symptom prevalence. Conclusion: Functional decline and prolonged COVID-19 symptoms were common in this cohort of PCI individuals. Exploratory analysis of the small PwDs subgroup did not suggest markedly greater impairment, though the limited sample size precludes definitive comparative conclusions.