Impact of COVID-19 on Health-Related Quality of Life: A Longitudinal Study in a Spanish Clinical Sample

SARS-CoV-2 respiratory infection and the course of its sequelae remain to be defined. The aim of this study is to analyze health status and Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in a Spanish sample of survivors of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia.

Prospective observational study of patients who survived SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia, between February 2020 and May 2020, with systematic evaluation at 3 and 12 months after the onset of the disease. The data were obtained by reviewing the clinical history and performing a physical examination, a chest X-ray, and a pulmonary function test on the patients. Additionally, the SF-36 questionnaire was administered for the HRQoL study.

In total, 130 patients aged 55.9 ± 15.9 years were included. Dyspnea (36.9%) and asthenia (36.2%) were the most frequent persistent symptoms. Fibrotic pulmonary changes were detected in 20.8% of the participants. Compared to the general population, significant deterioration was detected in all domains of the SF-36 questionnaire at 3 and 12 months post-COVID-19 infection. The greatest differences were in the physical role (RF) and in the emotional role (RE).

COVID-19 pneumonia causes a long-term deterioration in HRQoL compared to the general population. Over time, a trend toward improvement is detected in most domains of the SF-36.