Illness tracking in SARS-CoV-2 tested persons using a smartphone app: a non-interventional, prospective, cohort study

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health
• Digital Health

Background:

• Limited data exists on SARS-CoV-2 symptom spectrum and impact on quality of life in healthy young adults.
• The utility of mobile applications for remote symptom monitoring in positive SARS-CoV-2 cases requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the spectrum, duration, and impact of symptoms in SARS-CoV-2 positive individuals compared to negative controls.
• To assess the feasibility of using a smartphone app for remote symptom tracking in infected persons.
• To analyze symptom impact on daily activities based on sex, age, location, and comorbidities.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 502 participants, including 68 SARS-CoV-2 positive individuals, used the ITITP smartphone app and weekly questionnaires.
• Symptom data from positive cases were compared to those who tested negative.
• A random forest model was employed to identify symptoms with significant impact on daily activities.

Main Results:

• Positive cases reported significantly more COVID-19 typical symptoms, including difficulty breathing (OR 3.35), reduced taste (OR 5.45), and reduced smell (OR 18.24).
• Tiredness was identified as the primary symptom significantly impacting daily activities.
• Hospitalization was reported by 6% of positive participants.

Conclusions:

• Smartphone apps are feasible for remote SARS-CoV-2 symptom monitoring in young adults.
• Understanding symptom impact, particularly tiredness, is crucial for managing daily life disruptions.
• The ITITP app framework can be adapted for future pandemic phases and diverse settings.