HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE OF POST-COVID-19 PATIENTS IN KAZAKHSTAN

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the physical and mental health of populations worldwide. Particular attention has been paid to the study of the long-term consequences of infection, known as "long-term COVID-19", which can persist for months after the acute period of illness.

The aim of the study is to evaluate HRQoL in patients with COVID-19 sequelae.

A cross-sectional, observational study was conducted in the Republic of Kazakhstan among COVID-19 survivors. The data collection period covered the period from April 24 to December 25, 2024. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Abay region involving individuals with persistent symptoms approximately one month after COVID-19 infection or hospital discharge, in which all patients underwent clinical evaluation.

Out of 257 patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome, 209 (81.3%) were hospitalized during the acute phase. No statistically significant differences were observed between hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients in terms of age, sex, BMI, or blood pressure (p>0.05). Neurological symptoms such as paresthesias (43.5% vs. 29%, p=0.0001) and dizziness (65.5% vs. 35%, p=0.003) were more prevalent among non-hospitalized patients. In contrast, hospitalized patients more frequently reported dyspnea and muscle weakness, although without statistical significance. Hospitalization was significantly associated with the presence of diabetes mellitus (15.4% vs. 4.35%, p=0.0001), and obesity (22% vs. 4.2%, p=0.004), indicating a strong link between metabolic comorbidities and severe COVID-19. Quality of life assessment using the SF-36 questionnaire revealed greater physical limitations in hospitalized patients (p=0.005), while they reported significantly better mental health scores compared to non-hospitalized patients (70.46±22.42 vs. 56.38±28.08, p=0.001).

Post-COVID-19 syndrome significantly affects patients' physical and mental health in Kazakhstan, regardless of the severity of the initial infection. Hospitalized patients reported more physical limitations but better mental health outcomes. These findings highlight the need for early detection and multidisciplinary rehabilitation to improve quality of life and reduce the burden on the healthcare system.