# Ambulatory Status at Discharge Predicts Six-Month Mortality in Patients with COVID-19: A Retrospective Cohort Study

## TL;DR

This study shows that patients with COVID-19 who can walk independently when leaving the hospital are more likely to survive six months later.

## Contribution

The study identifies ambulatory status at discharge as a novel predictor of six-month mortality in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

## Key findings

- Ambulatory patients had a 94.2% six-month survival rate compared to 84.4% for non-ambulatory patients.
- Ambulatory status at discharge was a significant prognostic factor for survival (p = 0.047).
- Pre-existing malignancy also significantly predicted mortality (p = 0.007).

## Abstract

This retrospective cohort study aimed to evaluate the association between ambulatory status at discharge and six-month post-discharge mortality among adults with coronavirus disease (COVID-19). We analyzed data from 398 patients aged over 18 admitted to a tertiary hospital in South Korea between December 2019 and June 2022. Patients were classified into two groups based on their ambulatory status at discharge: ambulatory (able to walk independently, n = 286) and non-ambulatory (unable to walk independently, requiring wheelchair or bed-bound, n = 112). Our analysis revealed that six-month survival rates were significantly higher in the ambulatory group (94.2%) compared to the non-ambulatory group (84.4%). Multivariate analysis identified ambulatory status at discharge (p = 0.047) and pre-existing malignancy (p = 0.007) as significant prognostic factors for post-discharge survival. This study highlights that the ability to walk independently at discharge is a crucial predictor of six-month survival in COVID-19 patients. These findings emphasize the need for interventions to improve the physical performance of non-ambulatory patients, potentially enhancing their survival prospects. This underscores the importance of targeted rehabilitation and physical therapy for the comprehensive care of COVID-19 survivors.