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BackgroundIt remains unknown whether and to what extent members of online long COVID-19 peer support groups remain symptomatic and limited over time. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate symptoms in members of online long COVID-19 peer support groups up to 6 months after the onset of COVID-19-related symptoms.MethodsDemographics, symptoms, health status, work productivity, functional status and health-related quality of life were assessed about 3 and 6 months after the onset of COVID-19-related symptoms in members of online long COVID-19 peer support groups.ResultsData of 239 patients with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis (83% women; median (IQR) age: 50 (39–56) years) were analysed. During the infection, a median (IQR) of 15 (11–18) symptoms was reported, which was significantly lower 3 and 6 months later: 6 (4–9) and 6 (3–8), respectively (p<0.05). From 3 to 6 months follow-up, the proportion of patients without symptoms increased from 1.3% to only 5.4% (p<0.001). Patients also reported a significantly improved work productivity (work absenteeism and presenteeism: 73% versus 52% and 66% versus 60%), self-reported good health (9.2% versus 16.7%), functional status (Post COVID-19 Functional Status scale: 2.4 (0.9) versus 2.2 (0.8)) and health-related quality of life (all p<0.05).ConclusionAlthough patients with confirmed COVID-19, who were all members of online long COVID-19 peer support groups, reported significant improvements in work productivity, functional status and quality of life between 3 and 6 months follow up, these data clearly highlight the long-term impact of COVID-19, as approximately 6 months after the onset of COVID-19-related symptoms a large proportion still experienced persistent symptoms, a moderate-to-poor health, moderate to severe functional limitations, considerable loss in work productivity, and/or an impaired quality of life. Action is needed to improve the management and healthcare of these patients.

The impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on quality of life appears to be highly underestimated, especially in patients who have not been admitted to the hospital. Therefore, our aim was to assess respiratory-specific quality of life in addition to generic quality of life in former patients with confirmed/suspected COVID-19 who have never been admitted to the hospital. Members of an online Belgian social support group for patients with confirmed/suspected COVID-19 with persistent complaints, completed an online survey. The five-level EQ-5D (EQ-5D-5L) and the Clinical COPD Questionnaire (CCQ) were used to assess generic and respiratory-specific quality of life, respectively. Data of 210 non-hospitalized patients (88% women, 45 ± 11 years, 79 ± 17 days after symptom onset) were included in the analyses. Mean EQ-5D index and visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS) score was 0.62 ± 0.19 and 50.71 ± 18.87, respectively, with 40% of the patients demonstrating an EQ-5D index that was below the fifth percentile of normative values, indicating poor generic quality of life. The mean CCQ score was 2.01 ± 0.98 points, while 123 respondents (59%) had a total score ≥1.9 points, indicating poor respiratory-specific quality of life. The correlation between EQ-5D index score/EQ-VAS score and CCQ total score was moderate (r = −0.524 and r = −0.374; both p < 0.001). In conclusion, both generic and respiratory-specific quality of life are affected in non-hospitalized patients with COVID-19, approximately three months after the onset of symptoms. The combined use of the EQ-5D and the CCQ could identify the broad impact of COVID-19 on quality of life.

Background/Objectives Nursing home (NH) residents are a vulnerable population, susceptible to respiratory disease outbreaks such as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). Poor outcome in COVID‐19 is at least partly attributed to hypercoagulability, resulting in a high incidence of thromboembolic complications. It is unknown whether commonly used antithrombotic therapies may protect the vulnerable NH population with COVID‐19 against mortality. This study aimed to investigate whether the use of oral antithrombotic therapy (OAT) was associated with a lower mortality in NH residents with COVID‐19. Design A retrospective case‐series Setting 14 NH facilities from the NH organization Envida, Maastricht, the Netherlands Participants 101 NH residents with COVID‐19 were enrolled. Measurements The primary outcome was all‐cause mortality. The association between age, sex, comorbidity, OAT, and mortality was assessed using logistic regression analysis. Results Overall mortality was 47.5% in NH residents from 14 NH facilities. Age, comorbidity and medication use were comparable among NH residents who survived and who died. OAT was associated with a lower mortality in NH residents with COVID‐19 in the univariable analysis (OR 0.89 95%CI 0.41‐1.95). However, additional adjustments for sex, age and comorbidity, attenuated this difference. Mortality in males was higher compared with female residents (OR 3.96 (95%CI 1.62‐9.65)). Male residents who died were younger compared to female residents (82.2 (SD 6.3) vs. 89.1 years (SD 6.8), p<.001). Conclusion NH residents in the 14 facilities we studied were severely affected by the COVID‐19 pandemic, with a mortality of 47.5%. Male NH residents with COVID‐19 had worse outcomes than females. We did not find evidence for any protection against mortality by OAT, necessitating further research into strategies to mitigate poor outcome of COVID‐19 in vulnerable NH populations. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

The objective of the present study is to explore knowledge, illness perceptions and stated practice behaviour in relation to gout in primary care. This is a mixed methods study among 32 general practitioners (GPs). The quantitative assessment included the Gout Knowledge Questionnaire (GKQ; range 0–10; better) and Brief Illness Perceptions Questionnaire (BIPQ; nine items, range 0–10; stronger). Structured individual interviews obtained further qualitative insight into knowledge and perceptions, in the context of daily practice. Among 32 GPs, 18 (56.3 %) were male, mean age 44.4 years (SD 9.6) and mean working experience 17.1 years (SD 9.7). Median score [interquartile ranges (IQR)] on the GKQ was 7.8 [6.7–8.9] and 9.0 [8.0–10.0], when presented as open or multiple-choice questions, respectively. The BIPQ (median; [IQR]) revealed that gout was seen as a chronic disease (8.0; [7.0–9.0]), affecting life and emotions moderately (6.5; [5.0–7.0]), having many severe symptoms (8.0; [7.0–9.0]) and in which treatment could be very helpful (8.0; [7.0–9.0]). Further interviews revealed large variation in specific aspects of knowledge and about gaps concerning indications for uric acid-lowering therapy (UALT), duration of UALT, target serum uric acid (sUA) level or duration of prophylactic treatment. Finally, patients’ adherence was not checked systematically. Specific knowledge gaps and discrepancies between perceptions and stated practice behaviour were identified, which might hamper effective management of this well-treatable disease. Improving evidence on the rationale and effectiveness of treatment targets and adherence interventions, tailoring guidelines to general practice and intensification of implementation of guidelines in primary health care seem to be needed.