Long covid: cross sectional study

Abstract

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a public health problem worldwide. After 3 weeks of the onset of the disease, between 10-87% of patients persist with symptoms. The objective of the study was to evaluate the persistence of symptoms in patients with COVID-19, the associated factors, and to explore the patients' perception of the disease.

Materials and methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study that included 85 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19, who attended on an outpatient basis after the acute phase (> 3 weeks) of the disease.

Results: The median time from diagnosis to outpatient consultation was 53 days (interquartile range 31-65). Most (86%) had mild disease, 45% were women and the mean age was 43 years (standard deviation of 13). After the acute phase of the disease 52% (95% CI 41-63%) of the patients persisted with symptoms. The most frequently persistent symptoms were fatigue (49%) and cough (33%). Nineteen percent had insomnia and sixteen percent had anxiety. Female sex, obesity, age between 35-55 years, and initial hospitalization were associated with the persistence of symptoms. Twenty percent of the patients stopped following the prevention recommendations because they believed they were immunized.

Conclusion: More than half of the patients persisted with symptoms 3 weeks after the COVID-19 diagnosis, so medical follow-up is important. Female sex, obesity, age 35-55 years, and initial hospitalization were associated factors. The symptoms usually resolved over time.