The long-term impacts of COVID-19 on confirmed cases at least 12 months post-infection in Wellington, New Zealand: an observational, cross-sectional study

Abstract

Blood samples were analysed for cardiac, endocrine, haematological, liver, antibody, and inflammatory markers. results: Forty-two of 88 eligible cases undertook the study. Participants were enrolled at a median 628.5 days from symptom onset.Fifty-two point four percent felt that their current overall health was worse than it was prior to contracting COVID-19. Ninety percent of participants reported at least two ongoing symptoms since their acute illness. Between 45-72% of participants reported each of anxiety, depression, dyspnoea, pain/discomfort, and sleep difficulties, assessed using the GAD-7, PHQ-9, mMRC Dyspnoea Scale, EQ-5D-5L and FSS questionnaires respectively. There were minimal laboratory abnormalities. conclusion: There is a high prevalence of ongoing symptoms following the first wave of COVID-19 infection in Aotearoa New Zealand. At a median of 1.7 years post infection, there is a wide spectrum of symptoms and symptom severity, although as an observational, cross-sectional study a causal relationship between symptoms or their severity and COVID-19 infection cannot be firmly established.