Publication date: Oct 08, 2024
Post-COVID-19 Syndrome (PCS) entails a spectrum of symptoms, including fatigue, reduced physical performance, dyspnea, cognitive impairment, and psychological distress. Given the effectiveness of exercise-based rehabilitation for PCS, this study examined the efficacy of rehabilitation for PCS patients, focusing on sex-specific differences. Prospective cohort study during inpatient rehabilitation. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing and spirometry were performed at admission and discharge. Questionnaires were used to assess fatigue, health-related quality of life, wellbeing, and workability for up to 6 months. 145 patients (36% female, 47. 1 +/- 12. 7 years; 64% male, 52. 0 +/- 9. 1 years; p = 0. 018) were referred to rehabilitation 262. 0 +/- 128. 8 days after infection (female, 285. 5 +/- 140. 6 days; male, 248. 8 +/- 112. 0 days; p = 0. 110). Lead symptoms included fatigue/exercise intolerance (81. 4%), shortness of breath (74. 5%), and cognitive dysfunction (52. 4%). Women presented with higher relative baseline exercise capacity (82. 0 +/- 14. 3%) than males (68. 8 +/- 13. 3%, p