Characterization of Post-COVID-19 Clinical Manifestations Among Patients Visiting a Post-COVID-19 Clinic in a Tertiary Care Center: A Descriptive Study

Abstract

Background On December 21, 2019, a pneumonia-like outbreak of an unknown cause or origin was found to be emerging in Wuhan, China. In India, the first case of COVID-19 was found in Kerala and then started to spread all over India. Most of the infected people have recovered from the disease, but some patients were found to have symptoms at post-discharge follow-up. Although there are many studies on COVID-19 symptoms and signs during hospital stays, there is a scarcity of information regarding post-COVID-19 manifestations. The purpose of this study is to analyze the clinical characteristics of post-COVID-19 symptoms in patients attending the post-COVID-19 clinics. Methods A descriptive study was started on August 2021 at a tertiary care hospital in Southern India after institutional research and ethics committee clearance. All patients attending the post-COVID clinic, who tested positive for COVID-19 (RT-PCR or rapid antigen test (RAT) diagnosed or radiographically diagnosed COVID-19 (COVID-19 Reporting and Data System [CO-RADS] 5) were recruited. The proportion of people developing post-COVID-19 manifestations and categorization of symptoms in post-COVID-19 and its relationship to the severity of COVID-19 infections and the differences in post-COVID symptoms between hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients were studied. Results We enrolled 227 post-COVID patients who presented to the post-COVID clinic. The median age (IQR) of the participant was 52 (38-59) years, and the male-to-female ratio was 126/101 (1.24). Among 227 patients, 164 (72%) patients had exertional dyspnea, 109 (48%) patients had cough with expectoration, 96 (42.2%) patients with fatigue, 28 (12.33%) patients had myalgia, 18 (7.92) patients had a fever, 12 (5.28%) patients had hair loss, and 30 (13%) had other issues (loss of smell, sleep disturbances, and headache). Among 227, 142 (62.5%) patients were admitted to the hospital for acute COVID-19, and 85 (37.4) patients were in home isolation, but no statistical significance was found between in symptoms. Conclusion From this descriptive study, a high prevalence of post-COVID symptoms was noted, such aslike post-SARS syndrome. Mostly, researchers and clinicians have focused on acute COVID-19, but long-term follow-up with multidisciplinary evaluation and treatment is needed in all patients who recovered from acute COVID-19.

Clinical and Epidemiological Characteristics of Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients in an Isolation Centre in South-West Nigeria

“…This is similar to the study done in Thailand [9], Singapore [10], and China [11] but in contrast to other studies that reported more female prevalence [12,13]. Our retrospective study corroborates this observation and is consistent with findings from previous reports [14,15]. It has been documented that SARS-CoV-2 has a male bias in severity and mortality, which is consistent with previous coronavirus pandemics such as SARS-CoV and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) [16].…”

Unveiling the Mysteries of Long COVID Syndrome: Exploring the Distinct Tissue and Organ Pathologies Linked to Prolonged COVID-19 Symptoms

“…The neurological symptoms observed in individuals with long COVID are diverse and include headaches, dizziness, altered sensation, and cognitive disturbances commonly known as "brain fog" [ 18 ]. The susceptibility of the central nervous system to viral invasion, in addition to systemic immune responses, may potentially contribute to the occurrence of these neurological manifestations.…”