Determination of Ongoing Symptoms, Quality of Life Levels, and Risk Factors in Post-COVID-19 Patients

Abstract

Objective: Studies have reported that most post-COVID-19 patients experience post-disease symptoms, but the results of these studies have not been interpreted correctly. The present study aimed to determine the ongoing symptoms and quality of life levels in post-COVID-19 patients. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional research was carried out with 151 post-COVID-19 patients in Turkey. A sociodemographic data form and the general quality of life scale EQ-5D-5L were used. Results: Most of the participants completed outpatient COVID-19 treatment (93.4%). Of the participants, 84.7% had at least one post-COVID-19 symptom and 41.7% had six or more symptoms. Fatigue (70.9%), joint pain (45.7%), and muscle pain (38.4%) were the most common post-COVID-19 symptoms. The longest-lasting post-COVID-19 symptoms were hair loss (104.2±51.5 days), memory problem (101.9±53.3 days), and depression (96.3±48.6 days). The mean of the visual analog scale was 83.9±16.1 and lower in individuals with six or more post-COVID-19 symptoms (p=0.001). In female participants, post-COVID-19 symptoms increased by 2.7 times (p=0.020). The prevalence of certain COVID-19 symptoms was significantly higher in females (loss of smell, hair loss, and heart palpitation), those aged 40 years and older (intermittent fever), and obese individuals (heart palpitation and intermittent fever). Conclusion: Considering that post-COVID-19 symptoms can be seen in patients with mild illness at a high rate and for a long period of time, patient follow-up should be given importance especially for the females, elderly, and obese.