Post COVID-19 sequelae: A prospective observational study from Northern India

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health
• Clinical Medicine

Background:

• Post COVID-19 sequelae represent a significant challenge, necessitating a deeper understanding of their clinical spectrum and long-term trajectory.
• The prevalence and characteristics of these persistent symptoms require investigation in diverse populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To delineate the clinical features of post COVID-19 sequelae in the North Indian population.
• To identify risk factors associated with the development of long COVID.

Main Methods:

• A prospective observational study was conducted at a tertiary healthcare center in Northern India from October 2020 to February 2021.
• 1234 adult patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 were recruited and followed for a median of 91 days.
• Data on persistent symptoms and potential risk factors were systematically collected.

Main Results:

• 40.1% of patients experienced persistent symptoms, with 9.9% having symptoms beyond 12 weeks.
• Common symptoms included myalgia (10.9%), fatigue (5.5%), and shortness of breath (6.1%).
• Hypothyroidism (OR: 4.13) and hypoxia (OR: 1.7) during acute COVID-19 were significant risk factors for long COVID.

Conclusions:

• Long COVID symptoms are prevalent, affecting 22% of patients, and 9.9% exhibit post COVID-19 syndrome.
• Myalgia, fatigue, and dyspnea are frequently reported symptoms.
• Identifying patients with hypothyroidism and hypoxia during acute illness is crucial for predicting long COVID risk.