Post-Discharge Symptoms among Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients in Nigeria: A Single-Center Study

Abstract

There is a paucity of studies on post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (PCS) among hospitalized COVID-19 survivors from Nigeria. We describe the frequency, types, and duration of post-discharge symptoms suggestive of PCS among previously hospitalized COVID-19 patients in a treatment center in Nigeria. We conducted a retrospective review of admission and post-discharge follow-up medical records of COVID-19 survivors admitted between April and December 2020. A standardized checklist was used to document post-discharge symptoms. PCS was defined as persisting or new post-discharge symptoms lasting at least 3 weeks after initial COVID-19 symptoms. The relationship between study variables and development of PCS was ascertained by univariate analysis. Thirty of 51 previously hospitalized COVID-19 patients (median age, 46 years; male, 66.7%) were studied. Seventeen (56.7%) of the 30 patients developed features suggestive of PCS. Approximately three post-discharge symptoms were reported per patient over a follow-up period of ranging from 3 weeks to 9 months after initial COVID-19 symptoms. Cough, fatigue, and dyspnea were the most common post-discharge symptoms reported. A few patients had symptoms suggestive of thrombosis and COVID-19 reinfection. Among all study variables, baseline COVID-19 severity was the only significant variable associated with the development of PCS. PCS is common in our setting and is characterized by multisystemic signs and symptoms that require vigilance by clinicians for appropriate diagnosis and treatment. Long-term multicenter prospective studies are needed to characterize fully the burden of PCS among COVID-19 survivors in Nigeria.

Caregiving in the COVID‐19 pandemic: Family adaptations following an intensive care unit hospitalisation

“…Approximately 21% of COVID‐19 hospitalised patients require care in an intensive care unit (ICU) (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2022 ) for respiratory and/or cardiovascular complications. Following a COVID‐19 ICU hospitalisation, patients often experience common symptoms such as ongoing cough, shortness of breath, generalised weakness, fatigue, chest pain, memory deficits, confusion, and psychological distress that may take weeks to years to recover from—if at all (Halpin et al, 2020 ; Ogoina et al, 2021 ; Parotto et al, 2021 ). Further, patients who have been discharged from the ICU with health conditions similar to COVID‐19, such as acute respiratory distress syndrome, often require the support of family members to assist in disability management, recovery encouragement, and identification of formal support services (Hauschildt et al, 2021 ).…”

Perceived Symptoms, Mental Health and Quality of Life after Hospitalization in COVID-19 Patients

“…Over a 7 to 238-day follow-up period, about three symptoms were reported per patient, and the development of post-acute COVID-19 syndrome was linked substantially with initial COVID-19 severity. The most prevalent symptoms reported by this cohort were cough, tiredness, and dyspnea [ 24 ]. Another study found that most COVID-19 patients who required hospitalization still have persisting symptoms even 110 days after release, particularly fatigue and dyspnea, underlining the necessity for long-term follow-up and rehabilitation programs for those patients [ 25 ].…”

The Role of Diabetes and Hyperglycemia on COVID-19 Infection Course—A Narrative Review

“…In addition, the prevalence of T2DM among patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome was estimated at 15% according to a recent meta-analysis (195), which was higher than the prevalence of DM in the general population (36). In three other studies, however, patients with DM were not more symptomatic than patients without DM during post-COVID-19 period (199)(200)(201).…”