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Physical and mental health complications post-COVID-19: Scoping review
Sanaz Shanbehzadeh1, Mahnaz Tavahomi2, Nasibeh Zanjari3
1Rehabilitation Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Insights
Long COVID can cause lasting physical and mental health issues, including fatigue, pain, anxiety, and depression, up to three months after infection. Comprehensive evaluation and rehabilitation are crucial for improving patients' quality of life.
Area of Science:
- Medical Research
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Previous coronavirus infections have been linked to persistent health complications.
- Understanding the long-term effects of COVID-19 is critical for patient care and public health strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a scoping review of studies evaluating physical and mental health problems experienced by individuals after COVID-19 infection.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases was performed for studies published between January 1 and November 7, 2020.
- Included studies were observational and assessed physical health (e.g., musculoskeletal symptoms, functional status) or mental health status with a follow-up exceeding one month post-discharge or symptom onset.
Main Results:
- The review included 34 studies, with follow-up periods up to three months post-COVID-19.
- Common physical issues included fatigue (28-87%), pain (myalgia 4.5-36%, arthralgia 6-27%), and reduced physical capacity.
- Prevalent mental health problems were anxiety (6.5-63%), depression (4-31%), and post-traumatic stress disorder (12.1-46.9%).
- Female patients and those admitted to intensive care reported higher rates of fatigue, pain, anxiety, and depression.
- Overall quality of life was diminished up to three months post-COVID-19.
Conclusions:
- Physical and mental health problems are common sequelae of COVID-19, persisting for up to three months.
- The findings underscore the necessity for thorough post-COVID-19 assessments and targeted rehabilitation programs.
- Interventions aimed at improving quality of life for individuals recovering from COVID-19 are essential.
Objective:
Several long-lasting health complications have been reported in previous coronavirus infections. Therefore, the aim of this study was to review studies that evaluated physical and mental health problems post-COVID-19.
Methods:
Articles for inclusion in this scoping review were identified by searching the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases for items dated from 1 January to 7 November 2020. Observational studies evaluating physical health (musculoskeletal symptoms, functional status) or mental health status with a follow-up period longer than 1 month after discharge or after the onset of symptoms were included.
Results:
This scoping review included 34 studies with follow-up periods of up to 3 months post-COVID-19. The most commonly reported physical health problems were fatigue (range 28% to 87%), pain (myalgia 4.5% to 36%), arthralgia (6.0% to 27%), reduced physical capacity (six-minute walking test range 180 to 561 m), and declines in physical role functioning, usual care and daily activities (reduced in 15% to 54% of patients). Common mental health problems were anxiety (range 6.5% to 63%), depression (4% to 31%) and post-traumatic stress disorder (12.1% to 46.9%). Greater fatigue, pain, anxiety and depression were reported in female patients and individuals admitted to intensive care. An overall lower quality of life was seen up to 3 months post-COVID-19.
Conclusions:
This review highlights the presence of several physical and mental health problems up to 3 months post-COVID-19. The findings point to the need for comprehensive evaluation and rehabilitation post-COVID-19 to promote quality of life.
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