Geriatric nursing (New York, N.Y.)Oct 22, 2025

Disability and related factors in older adults with long COVID in a large Brazilian city

Updated Jun 27, 2026

Abstract

Essence

Among older adults with post-COVID symptoms in the Brazilian Amazon, age 70 or more and shortness of breath were linked to higher disability scores.

Evidence

This cross-sectional study surveyed 288 older adults with self-reported COVID-19 and post-COVID condition symptoms from January to April 2024 using questionnaire data and regression analyses.

Caveat

The cross-sectional, self-reported design cannot establish whether age or shortness of breath caused disability.

Simplified

BACKGROUND: The post-COVID-19 condition has been recognized by persistent symptoms that affect functionality and quality of life, especially in the elderly.

OBJECTIVE: to analyze the association between post-COVID condition symptoms and self-care capacity among older adults in a metropolitan region of the Brazilian Amazon.

METHOD: cross-sectional study carried out from January to April 2024 in the Brazilian Amazon.

PARTICIPANTS: older adults with a self-reported diagnosis of COVID-19 and symptoms of post-COVID condition were included.

SAMPLE SIZE: a sample number of 287 participants.

DATA SOURCE: the "Global COVID-19 Clinical Platform: Case Report Form for Post COVID condition" questionnaire was applied.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis and linear regression tests were performed.

RESULTS: A total of 288 older adults participated. In the final model. The analysis demonstrated that the factors that increase the disability score are being older, 70 years or more and Shortness of breath.

CONCLUSION: Specific care and self-care strategies should be planned.