Functional consequences of post-COVID-19 syndrome: Evidence from Qatar, 2022

Despite recovery from acute COVID-19, many individuals experience post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS), which can impair health and functional status, particularly affecting cardiovascular and pulmonary function in physically active adults.

To assess the severity of physical dysfunction among patients with PCS in Qatar during 2022.

An analytic cross-sectional study was conducted among 368 adults with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 infection between January and July 2022. After providing verbal consent, participants completed structured telephone interviews assessing physical activity, fatigue, and dyspnea. The World Health Organization's standard case definition for PCS was applied, identifying 159 participants with PCS.

Among the PCS participants, a notable reduction in moderate (13.2%) and vigorous (5.7%) physical activity was observed following COVID-19 infection. Severe fatigue and dyspnea were highly prevalent in PCS participants (45.9% and 37.8%, respectively) and were strongly interrelated. Multivariable analysis showed severe dyspnea independently associated with severe fatigue (odds ratio [OR] = 3.04 [95% CI, 1.46-6.31]), and severe fatigue independently associated with severe dyspnea (OR = 3.11 [95% CI, 1.49-6.49]). No significant associations were observed with sociodemographic characteristics, social support, obesity, chronic disease, or hospitalization.

Fatigue and dyspnea are central, interrelated manifestations of PCS, largely independent of demographic or clinical characteristics. These findings highlight the need for routine screening and the integration of multidisciplinary rehabilitation programs, including pulmonary support and graded physical activity, to address functional impairment in patients with PCS. Longitudinal studies are warranted to clarify the long-term trajectory and underlying mechanisms of PCS.