Incidence of post-COVID-19 syndrome and its association with COVID-19 severity in a tertiary private hospital: Prospective cohort study

Post-acute sequelae of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, also known as long-COVID (LC) or post-COVID syndrome (PCS), became a significant public health concern after the initial COVID-19 outbreaks. PCS refers to symptoms that persist beyond the weeks- and months-long acute phase of the infection. Prioritizing the management of acute instances to lower the mortality rate led to the initial neglect of cases of such extended duration, until it was discovered that many of the patients continued to experience symptoms long after they had recovered. “Long COVID” describes a group of persistent symptoms that are detectable and identified, often four weeks following the acute sickness. PCS can be diagnosed based on a patient’s history and physical results after other diagnoses have been ruled out due to the lack of a conclusive test. The complicated interplay between the virus and host factors causes COVID-19 to change from acute to post-acute sequelae. The high absolute number of COVID-19 patients and the healthcare system’s variability contribute to the varying prevalence of PCS throughout the Indian subcontinent. This chapter explores the epidemiology of post-COVID syndrome in the Indian subcontinent, focusing on its prevalence, pathogenesis, and clinical manifestations and the implications for policy health systems, society, and culture for effective PCS management.

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Post-COVID syndrome: Current challenge in the work of the general practitioner

Pušica,

Lončar

2024

Opšta medicina

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Introduction. Post-COVID syndrome is characterized by a wide range of clinical symptoms that persist for more than three months after the initial SARS-CoV-2 infection. Objective. Our objective was to confirm and explore the long-term effects of post-COVID syndrome, the prevalence of individual symptoms, and the factors that may influence their occurrence. Method. In our study, we conducted a cross-sectional analysis on patients who had previously been infected with SARS-CoV-2. Participants were requested to complete the questionnaire during the latter part of 2023. The data was examined using descriptive statistics, the Kruskal-Wallis test, and the Bonferroni test for multiple pair comparisons using SPSS 26. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results. Out of a total of 90 participants, 15.6% did not experience post-COVID symptoms. However, 24.4% experienced symptoms that persisted for longer than six months. The most common symptoms reported were rapid fatigue (60%), chronic fatigue (53.3%), and difficulty concentrating (45.6%). There was a significant difference in the occurrence of tachycardia, sweating, and constipation among different age groups (p<0.05). Additionally, the presence of cough, chest pain, constipation, and sexual disorders showed significant differences in relation to body mass index, (p<0.05). Furthermore, significant differences in the occurrence of nightmares, headaches, anxiety, abdominal pain, and diarrhea were noticed in relation to cigarette smoking status (p<0.05). Lastly, in relation to comorbidities, there was a statistically significant difference in the occurrence of hair loss (p<0.05). Conclusion. A holistic approach is necessary in treating a patient with post-COVID. Therefore, the role of the general practitioner (GP) is crucial.

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Incidence of post-COVID-19 syndrome and its association with COVID-19 severity in a tertiary private hospital: Prospective cohort study

Cited by 3 publications

References 5 publications

Impact of Long COVID-19 on Health Outcomes Among Adults With Preexisting Cardiovascular Disease and Hypertension: A Systematic Review

Impact of Long COVID-19 on Health Outcomes Among Adults With Preexisting Cardiovascular Disease and Hypertension: A Systematic Review

Perspective Chapter: Epidemiology of Post-COVID Syndrome in Indian Subcontinent

Post-COVID syndrome: Current challenge in the work of the general practitioner

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