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Post-acute and long-COVID-19 symptoms in patients with mild diseases: a systematic review
Sophie A M van Kessel1, Tim C Olde Hartman1, Peter L B J Lucassen1
1Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Department of Primary and Community Care, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Background:
It is expected that GPs are increasingly confronted with a large group of patients with symptoms persisting three weeks after initial symptoms of a mild (managed in the outpatient setting) COVID-19 infection. Currently, research on these persistent symptoms mainly focuses on patients with severe infections (managed in an inpatient setting) whereas patients with mild disease are rarely studied.
Objective:
The main objective of this systematic review was to create an overview of the nature and frequency of persistent symptoms experienced by patients after mild COVID-19 infection.
Methods:
Systematic literature searches were performed in Pubmed, Embase and PsychINFO on 2 February 2021. Quantitative studies, qualitative studies, clinical lessons and case reports were considered eligible designs.
Results:
In total, nine articles were included in this literature review. The frequency of persistent symptoms in patients after mild COVID-19 infection ranged between 10% and 35%. Symptoms persisting after a mild COVID-19 infection can be distinguished into physical, mental and social symptoms. Fatigue was the most frequently described persistent symptom. Other frequently occurring persistent symptoms were dyspnoea, cough, chest pain, headache, decreased mental and cognitive status and olfactory dysfunction. In addition, it was found that persisting symptoms after a mild COVID-19 infection can have major consequences for work and daily functioning.
Conclusion:
There is already some evidence that symptoms of mild COVID-19 persist after 3 weeks in a third of patients. However, there is a lack of data about symptoms persisting after 3 months (long-COVID). More research is needed to help GPs in managing long-COVID.
Insights
Persistent symptoms after mild COVID-19 are common, affecting 10-35% of patients. Fatigue, dyspnea, and cognitive issues are frequent, impacting daily life and work for individuals recovering from coronavirus disease 2019.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
- General Practice
Background:
- General practitioners (GPs) face increasing numbers of patients with persistent symptoms after mild COVID-19.
- Current research primarily focuses on severe COVID-19 cases, neglecting mild infections.
- Understanding post-mild COVID-19 symptoms is crucial for primary care management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview of the nature and frequency of persistent symptoms following mild COVID-19 infection.
- To synthesize existing literature on post-mild COVID-19 sequelae.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search conducted in PubMed, Embase, and PsycINFO.
- Inclusion of quantitative studies, qualitative studies, clinical lessons, and case reports.
- Review of nine selected articles.
Main Results:
- Persistent symptoms after mild COVID-19 occurred in 10-35% of patients.
- Symptoms are categorized into physical, mental, and social domains.
- Most common symptoms include fatigue, dyspnea, cough, chest pain, headache, cognitive impairment, and olfactory dysfunction.
Conclusions:
- Evidence suggests one-third of patients experience persistent symptoms after mild COVID-19.
- Data on long-COVID symptoms beyond three months is limited.
- Further research is needed to support GPs in managing long-COVID patients.
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