Impact of physical activity levels on length of hospital stay in patients with severe COVID ARDS

Abstract

SARS-CoV2 is a lethal virus that primarily affects the respiratory system causing severe pneumonia leading to ARDS. This case series describes the cases of two middle-aged men suffering from severe coronavirus disease-19 ARDS presenting to hospital with similar clinical signs who were given similar treatments. Pre infection activity levels of both patients were assessed using Global Physical Activity Questionnaire and length of hospital stay was observed for both patients. Patient with sedentary lifestyle prior to infection had a longer length of hospital stay of 25 days whereas the second patient who had an active lifestyle had a shorter length of hospital stay of 11 days. Based on our observations, we conclude that pre infection physical activity levels positively influences the severity of disease and helps to reduce length of hospital stay. With lockdown being declared in many parts of the world on account of the second wave of infection, it is important to encourage people to adopt a healthy lifestyle while adhering to the norms of lockdown.