Long COVID active case detection initiative among COVID-19 patients in Port Dickson, Malaysia: a retrospective study on the positive outcomes, the proportion of patients with long COVID and its associated factors

Abstract

Background Long COVID is new or ongoing symptoms at four weeks or more after the start of acute COVID-19. However, the prevalence and factors associated with long COVID are largely unknown in Malaysia. We aim to determine the proportion and factors associated with long COVID among COVID-19 patients in Port Dickson, Malaysia. The positive outcomes of our long COVID active detection initiative were also described. Methods This was a retrospective analysis of long COVID data collected by the Port Dickson District Health Office between 1 September 2021 to 31 October 2021. Monitoring long COVID symptoms was our quality improvement initiative to safeguard residents’ health in the district. The study population was patients previously diagnosed with COVID-19 who resided in Port Dickson. The inclusion criteria were adults aged 18 years and above and were in the fifth week (day 29 to 35) post-COVID-19 diagnosis during the data collection period. We called all consecutive eligible patients to inquire regarding long COVID symptoms. Long COVID was defined as new or ongoing symptoms lasting more than 28 days from the date of positive SARS-CoV-2 by polymerase chain reaction test. Binary multivariate logistic regression was conducted to determine factors associated with long COVID. Results Among 452 patients, they were predominantly male (54.2%), Malays (68.8%) and aged 18–29 years (58.6%). A total of 27.4% (95% CI [23.4–31.8]) of patients experienced long COVID symptoms and were referred to government clinics. The most frequent long COVID symptoms experienced were fatigue (54.0%), cough (20.2%), muscle pain (18.5%), headache (17.7%) and sleep disturbance (16.1%). Females, patients with underlying cardiovascular disease, asthma and chronic obstructive airway disease, those who received symptomatic care, and patients with myalgia and headaches at COVID-19 diagnosis were more likely to have long COVID. Three patients with suspected severe mental health problems were referred to the district psychologist, and ten patients with no/incomplete vaccination were referred for vaccination. Conclusion Long COVID is highly prevalent among COVID-19 patients in Port Dickson, Malaysia. Long-term surveillance and management of long COVID, especially among the high-risk groups, are needed as we transition to living with COVID-19.

Prevalence and predictors of post-acute COVID syndrome among infected healthcare workers at University Malaya Medical Centre

“…The prevalence found in this study is comparably higher than the study conducted in the general population of Malaysia. The study in Port Dickson reported that 27.4% of respondents still have COVID-19 symptoms after four weeks [ 7 ]. Another cross-sectional study of Malaysia’s general population reported that 48% of respondents still have persistent symptoms after six weeks [ 8 ].…”

“…In contrast, this study includes all healthcare workers in the hospital. Similarly, the study in Port Dickson, Malaysia, also found fatigue and cough are among the most common symptoms, with 54.0% and 20.2% each having it [ 7 ]. On top of that, this study common PACS symptoms are also similar to those reported in another study [ 38 ], which are fatigue (45.2%), musculoskeletal pain (38.2%), and loss of smell (35.0%).…”

“…Globally, according to the latest analysis, a pooled prevalence of PACS is between 9% and 63%, which is almost six times higher than other postviral conditions such as postviral fatigue syndrome [ 6 ]. In Malaysia, a study done in Port Dickson described the prevalence of Long COVID symptoms at 27.4% [ 7 ]. The findings of the study done in Port Dickson were similar to another study in Malaysia, where the prevalence is 21.1% [ 8 ].…”

“…As the paradigm of COVID-19 shifts to understanding its long-term effects and previous research in Malaysia has made significant findings in understanding the long-term effects of COVID-19, a notable gap exists in the limited focus on healthcare workers, who constitute a unique and high-risk group. Previous studies have predominantly concentrated on the general population, leaving the specific patterns of PACS among healthcare workers relatively unexplored [ 7 , 8 ]. This gap in the literature is significant because healthcare workers were at the forefront during and after the pandemic, facing increased exposure to the virus and unique occupational stressors.…”

Risk and protective factors for Long COVID in Brazilian adults (CUME Study)

“…However, some become seriously ill and may die (2). Official WHO data from October 25, 2023, indicated that there were 771,549,718 confirmed cases and that 6,974,473 deaths occurred from COVID-19 globally, with Brazil ranking sixth and third, respectively, in the number of confirmed cases (37,721,749) and deaths (704,659) (4).…”