A Protocol for the Evaluation of Nutritional and Functional Status Evolution During a Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation Program for Patients after SARS-CoV-2 Pneumonia ^†

Abstract

Nutrition status is a major issue of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many factors associated with worse prognosis risk are related to nutrition. Patients received after hospital discharge for pneumonia due to SARS-Cov-2 were submitted to a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program. This study aimed to analyze the nutritional and functional status after SARS-Cov-2 pneumonia and evaluate the impact of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program.

1. Introduction

Proper nutrition and good nutritional status have been gaining importance in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Food and nutrition are playing an important role in the prevention of disease and as one of the areas of priority intervention to minimize the consequences of this viral infection. Having a balanced diet contributes to a better nutritional status, an adequate immune response, decreases the risk of severe evolution and complications. Although the entire population is susceptible to SARS-CoV-2, most hospitalized patients are elderly and/or with nutrition-related chronic diseases (obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases) [1]. All of these have the worst nutritional status, compromised immune system, and weakened respiratory system. The factors that have been associated with an increased risk of developing the severe COVID-19 disease and worse prognosis, such as hypoalbuminemia, lymphopenia, sarcopenia/fragility, high body mass index (BMI), and obesity, are related with malnutritional status [2]. Therefore, nutritional status plays an important role in COVID-19 being associated with a greater risk of developing severe illness and with a greater risk of hospitalization, ICU stay and death. On the other hand, patients who recovered from SARS-Cov-2 pneumonia present a decline in nutritional status, caused by the catabolic effect of the disease and by the hospital stay, with loss of muscle mass and function.

This study aimed to evaluate: (1) the nutritional and functional status of patients when they are received at the Residências Montepio (RM), transferred from hospitals after SARS-Cov-2 pneumonia; (2) the nutritional and functional status at the end of the rehabilitation program; and (3) the impact on the nutritional and functional status of the integrated and multidisciplinary rehabilitation program carried out after SARS-Cov-2 pneumonia. In addition, we intend to (4) assess food intake during the first 48 h of the rehabilitation program, because we suspect, from previous experience with these patients, that oral intake can be significantly reduced when compared with nutritional needs.

2. Materials and Methods

This is an observational, analytical, longitudinal study, evaluating no less than 110 adults. This will not have a pre-established duration, but it should not exceed 6 months. Statistical analysis will be used by SPSS to compare and correlate the nutritional and functional status variables, to see the nutritional and function impact of multidisciplinary rehabilitation program. The inclusion criteria are patients hospitalized in RM with a history of SARS-Cov-2 pneumonia agreeing to participate in the study and signing the informed consent. The exclusion criteria are patients with severe chronic underlying disorders that may clearly and very probably have a negative impact on the rehabilitation program. Each patient will only be part of the study while they are hospitalized in RM, from entrance (T0) until discharge (T2) 30 days later. At RM, they are submitted to an integrated and multidisciplinary rehabilitation program including 30 days of intensive rehabilitation, with physical therapy, occupational therapy, psychological intervention, speech therapy and personalized nutrition care, associated with medical and nursing care.

Each patient will be evaluated at three moments:

T0—Upon admission to the unit

T1—after 15 days

T2—Within 48 h before discharge

Each assessment will include the following parameters:

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Anthropometric data: weight, height, body mass index (BMI) according to age, geminal perimeter, brachial perimeter, tricipital skinfold (TSF), calculation of the muscular circumference of the arm.

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Functional assessment: hand grip strength assessed with pressure dynamometry.

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Scales: MNA [3]; GLIM and assessment of food intake in the first 24 h (24 h food recall) [4].

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Laboratory: routine blood count and serum albumin.

3. Results and Discussion

The present protocol was ratified by the Scientific Council of the Egas Moniz Higher School of Health and approved by the Ethics Committee (# 909). By 25 April, 107 patients aged 42–90 years were enrolled and 83 had already finished their protocols. We hope this protocol will show us if the different nutritional and function status in SARS-Cov-2 pneumonia patients has an influence on their recovery and future.