From robustness to frailty: how post-COVID-19 frailty shapes dyspnea, fatigue, and physical and functional status in post-COVID-19 syndrome

PURPOSE: To examine the relationship between post-COVID-19 frailty and dyspnea, fatigue, and physical and functional status in subjects with post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS), and to compare these outcomes according to frailty level. METHODS: = 11) using the FRAIL scale. Persistent symptoms and physical and functional parameters were assessed using validated questionnaires and standardized tests. RESULTS: Frailty correlated positively with dyspnea at light, moderate, and intense exercise, overall dyspnea, and fatigue, and negatively with physical activity, muscle quality, strength, and performance. Functionality showed a strong association with frailty. Regression analysis identified length of hospital stay and comorbidities as significant factors in the descriptive model, whereas persistent symptoms were not associated. In the physical-functional model, only functionality was associated. Group comparisons revealed a progressive pattern across frailty levels. CONCLUSION: Post-COVID-19 frailty is associated with greater dyspnea and fatigue, and reduced physical and functional status. Early identification and targeted interventions may be important, although causal inferences are limited by the cross-sectional design, small sample size, and potential overlap between frailty and outcome measures.