Covid-19 is a novel infectious disease whose spectrum of presentation ranges from absence of symptoms to widespread interstitial pneumonia associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), leading to significant mortality. Given the systemic pattern of Covid-19, there are many factors that can influence patient's functional capacity after acute infection and the identification of such factors can contribute to the development of specific rehabilitation strategies. Pulmonary impairment is the primary cause of hospitalization due to Covid-19, and can progress to SARS as well as increase length of hospitalization. Moreover, cardiac involvement is observed in approximately 30% of hospitalized patients, with an increased risk of acute myocarditis, myocardial injury, and heart failure, which may compromise functional capacity in the long-term. Thromboembolic complications have also been reported in some patients with Covid-19 and are associated with a poor prognosis. Musculoskeletal complications may result from long periods of hospitalization and immobility, and can include fatigue, muscle weakness and polyneuropathy. Studies that address the functional capacity of patients after Covid-19 infection are still scarce. However, based on knowledge from the multiple systemic complications associated with Covid-19, it is reasonable to suggest that most patients, especially those who underwent prolonged hospitalization, will need a multiprofessional rehabilitation program. Further studies are needed to evaluate the functional impact and the rehabilitation strategies for patients affected by Covid-19.

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Objectives To describe the clinical and sociodemographic characteristics of participants as well as discontinuation and mortality rates in a cardiac rehabilitation programme (CRP) tailored to Chagas disease (CD). Methods Participants underwent functional capacity, anthropometry and cardiac function evaluations before beginning a CRP. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were performed to investigate the associations between clinical and sociodemographic characteristics at baseline with discontinuation rates and deaths. Results Forty‐two patients were enrolled in the CRP (61.9% men, mean age of 58.1 ± 11.8 years). During a median follow‐up period of 10.8 months, 74% discontinued and 14% died while enrolled in CRP. 34% of the patients who discontinued CRP died during follow‐up. White race (HR = 0.09; 95% CI 0.01–1.00), right ventricular systolic dysfunction (HR = 10.54; 95% CI 1.24–89.50) and oxygen pulse (HR = 0.69; 95% CI 0.48–0.99) were independently associated with death while enrolled in CRP. Married status (HR = 0.44; 95% CI 0.21–0.95) was independently associated with discontinuation rates from CRP. VO2 peak (HR = 0.85; 95% CI 0.74–0.98) and CRP discontinuation due to CD‐related reasons (HR = 8.33; 95% CI 1.91–36.27) were the variables independently associated with death after discontinuation of CRP. Conclusion In this population, sociodemographic aspects and severity of CD were important determinants of CRP discontinuation and mortality.

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