Persistent Symptoms in Patients Recovering From COVID-19 in Denmark

Abstract

Background Although persistent symptoms after Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are emerging as a major complication to the infection, data on the diversity and duration of symptoms are needed. Methods Patients aged ≥18 years with a positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and hospitalized at the Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark, in the period March 11th to May 15th, were offered follow up after hospitalization. On admission, comprehensive symptom and medical history were collected, including demographic characteristics, duration of symptoms, comorbidities and concomitant medication. At discharge, patients were offered follow-up consultations – either by telephone or in-person visit – at 6 and 12 weeks at our Post-COVID-19 outpatient clinic to assess whether symptoms present at admission had resolved. Results During the inclusion period, 71 patients were admitted with COVID-19. Of these, 10 patients died, 3 were transferred to another region, 4 declined to participate and 5 were lost to follow-up before 12 weeks evaluation. Thus, 49 patients were included. Overall, 96% reported one or more persisting symptoms at 12 weeks follow-up. Main symptoms were fatigue, dyspnea, cough, chemosensory dysfunction, and headache. Conclusion A wide range of persistent symptoms in patients recovering from COVID-19 were present 12 weeks after hospitalization calling for larger descriptive studies and interdisciplinary research collaborations.

Post-COVID-19 Syndrome: The Persistent Symptoms at the Post-viral Stage of the Disease. A Systematic Review of the Current Data

“…Numerous research groups reported widespread persisting symptoms in COVID-19 patients for up to 6 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection (70,75,(123)(124)(125)(126)(127)(128)(129)(130)(131)(132)(133)(134)(135)(136)(137)(138)(139)(140)(141)(142). They also described practice on the management of post-acute COVID-19 and performed comprehensive analyses of health-related quality of life (70,75,123).…”

“…They also described practice on the management of post-acute COVID-19 and performed comprehensive analyses of health-related quality of life (70,75,123). Furthermore, numerous editorials, reviews, news articles, clinical updates, narrative interviews, and focus groups have been published to explore what it is like to live with long-term COVID-19, also trying to emphasize the putative pathophysiology, risk factors, and treatments (124)(125)(126)(127)(128)(129)(130)(131)(132)(133)(134)(135)(136)(137)(138)(139)(140)(141)(142). Two cohort studies on severe/critical COVID-19 patients reported persistent physiological impairment and decrease in quality of life in more than half of the patients at up to 6 months of follow up (77,100).…”

Post-COVID-19 Syndrome: Nine Months after SARS-CoV-2 Infection in a Cohort of 354 Patients: Data from the First Wave of COVID-19 in Nord Franche-Comté Hospital, France

“…Some authors referred to ‘long COVID-19 syndrome’ [ 2 , 4 , 5 , 6 ], ‘post-COVID-19 syndrome’ [ 7 , 8 ], or ‘post-acute COVID-19 syndrome’ [ 3 , 9 ], a syndrome that can possibly have an impact on the quality of life of patients [ 10 ]. The most common persistent symptoms in COVID-19 are fatigue and breathlessness [ 8 , 11 , 12 ]. Neurological symptoms, such as headaches [ 4 , 5 , 8 , 11 , 12 ]; otorhinolaryngological symptoms [ 11 , 13 ], such as olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions; psychiatric symptoms, such as concentration problems, sleep difficulties, and anxiety [ 11 , 14 ] are also common long-term consequences of COVID-19.…”

“…The most common persistent symptoms in COVID-19 are fatigue and breathlessness [ 8 , 11 , 12 ]. Neurological symptoms, such as headaches [ 4 , 5 , 8 , 11 , 12 ]; otorhinolaryngological symptoms [ 11 , 13 ], such as olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions; psychiatric symptoms, such as concentration problems, sleep difficulties, and anxiety [ 11 , 14 ] are also common long-term consequences of COVID-19. Although considerable progress has been made in treating COVID-19, very little is known about the long-term consequences of this infection.…”

Clinical Management of COVID-19 Patients – An Update

“…( 63 , 64 , 65 ). The most frequent reported symptoms include cognitive impairment, dyspnea, loss of smell and taste, and mental and physical fatigue ( 9 , 10 , 11 , 66 ). Life quality are affected, and patients suffering from LTC experience problems performing daily activities and work ( 67 ).…”