Keywords
Abstract
Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has been marked by an explosion of SARS-CoV 2 cases, mainly affecting the elderly population and compromising different body systems. Objective: To compare the physical performance and cognitive function of community-dwelling elderly people with and without a diagnosis of COVID-19. Methods: This was an observational, case-control study of elderly people treated at Primary Health Care Units in the city of Goiânia, Goiás. The sample was divided into two groups: the case group (had COVID-19) and the control group (had not), based on self-report. Sociodemographic characterization was carried out using a questionnaire prepared by the researchers. The Manual Dynamometry and Sit and Stand 5 times tests were used to assess physical performance, and the Mini Mental Examination Model (MMSE) was used to assess cognitive function. Statistical analysis was carried out using JAMOVI® software and the Mann-Whitney U-test and Chi-square test were used for comparisons between the two groups, adopting a p-value of <0.05. Results: 108 elderly people aged between 60 and 86 years (67.94 ± 6.24) took part in the study, 90 women and 18 men. As for the presence of Covid-19, 54 had the disease and 54 did not. Conclusion: When associating the presence of covid-19, physical performance and cognitive impairment, no statistically significant difference was observed between the groups.