Persistent symptoms among post‐COVID‐19 survivors: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Abstract

BackgroundSingle studies support the presence of several post‐COVID‐19 symptoms; however, there is no evidence for the synthesis of symptoms.ObjectiveWe attempt to provide an overview of the persistent symptoms that post‐COVID‐19 patients encounter, as well as the duration of these symptoms to help them plan their rehabilitation.DesignSystematic review and meta‐analysis.ParticipantsA total of 16 studies involving 8756 patients post‐COVID‐19 were included.MethodsThe CINAHL, PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched from 2019 to August 2021. Observational studies that reported data on post‐COVID‐19 symptoms were included. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal for Observational Studies. We included medium‐ to high‐quality studies. We used a random‐effects model for the meta‐analytical pooled prevalence of each post‐COVID‐19 symptom, and I2 statistics for heterogeneity.ResultsFrom the 2481 studies identified, 16 met the inclusion criteria. The sample included 7623 hospitalised and 1133 non‐hospitalised patients. We found the most prevalent symptoms were fatigue and dyspnea with a pooled prevalence ranging from 42% (27%–58%). Other post‐COVID‐19 symptoms included sleep disturbance 28% (14%–45%), cough 25% (10%–44%), anosmia/ageusia 24% (7%–47%), fever 21% (4%–47%), myalgia 17% (2%–41%), chest pain 11% (5%–20%), and headache 9% (2%–20%). In addition to physical symptoms, anxiety/depression was also prevalent 27% (8%–53%).ConclusionsFatigue and dyspnea were the most prevalent post‐COVID‐19 symptoms and experienced up to 12 months.Relevance to clinical practiceMultiple persistent symptoms are still experienced until 12 months of post‐Covid 19. This meta‐analysis should provide some awareness to nurses to highlights the unmet healthcare needs of post‐COVID‐19 patients. Long‐term monitoring for the evaluation and treatment of symptoms and conditions and rehabilitation programs should be conducted.

Diode laser in management of loss of taste sensation in patients with post-COVID syndrome: a randomized clinical trial

“…The present study showed the resolution of loss of taste sensation as their results showed that patients treated with diode laser 940 have a significantly higher percentage of cases 13(72.2%) restoring taste after one week. Rochmawati and Kamilah [ 27 ] proposed that the persistence of symptoms in COVID-19 patients was attributed to the overexpression of mitochondrial proteins and the presence of inflammatory markers. In addition, they found increased pro-inflammatory cytokines that could contribute to cytokine dysregulation and a cytokine storm.…”

Long COVID during the Omicron predominant waves among Japanese healthcare workers

“…2 Cough and fatigue were the most common symptoms in the present population, a finding in agreement with an Indian study, 4 which was the only study during the Omicron wave that showed data for each symptom. These symptoms were also common during pre-Omicron waves, 9 suggesting a similarity of major symptoms of long COVID irrespective of the timing of infection.…”

The long‐term impact of COVID‐19

“…Withcommitmenttosharing,learningfromandbuildingonour international experiences, perhaps we will be better prepared to Research and reviews about the longer-term impact of COVID-19 on patients-paediatric to geriatric, pulmonary to cardiac, ICU to nursing home, reveal post-acute sequelae (PASC), including persistent physical symptoms (Allgood et al, 2021;Cha &Baek,2021;Jainetal.,2023;Lambertetal.,2021;Rochwamati et al, 2022;Wu et al, 2022) and long-term psychological consequences (Bilginetal.,2021;DelCorraletal.,2022)includingposttraumatic stress (Fjone et al, 2023)-these topics and more are includedinthisissue.…”