Symptoms persisting after hospitalisation for COVID-19: 12 months interim results of the CO-FLOW study

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Pulmonology
• Neurology

Background:

• A significant portion of patients develop long-term health issues, known as sequelae, following acute COVID-19 infection, particularly after severe illness.
• Assessing the persistence and nature of these sequelae is crucial for understanding the long-term impact of the virus.

Purpose of the Study:

• To longitudinally evaluate the persistence of symptoms and symptom clusters up to 12 months post-hospitalization for COVID-19.
• To identify determinants associated with the main persistent symptoms following severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection.

Main Methods:

• A multicenter prospective cohort study followed 492 patients hospitalized with COVID-19.
• Data on symptoms were collected at 3, 6, and 12 months post-hospital discharge, with interim results presented up to 12 months.

Main Results:

• At 3 months post-discharge, 97% of patients reported at least one persistent symptom, decreasing to 92% at 12 months.
• Muscle weakness, exertional dyspnea, fatigue, and cognitive problems were highly prevalent (>50%).
• Physical and respiratory symptoms showed a gradual decline, while fatigue and cognitive symptoms, including memory and concentration issues, persisted significantly over the 12-month period.

Conclusions:

• The majority of patients experience persistent COVID-19 sequelae for up to 12 months after severe infection.
• Physical and respiratory symptoms tend to gradually decline, whereas fatigue and cognitive impairments show limited resolution over time.
• These findings highlight the chronic nature of certain long COVID symptoms, emphasizing the need for sustained management strategies.