Dark Side of the COVID-19 Pandemic; 'Long COVID'.
Infect Dis Clin Microbiol
; 5(3): 205-211, 2023 Sep.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38633561
ABSTRACT
Objective:
Besides its morbidity and mortality all over the world, SARS-CoV-2 infection maintains its importance with prolonged symptoms after acute disease. The post-infectious period including a heterogeneous group of symptoms is named 'long COVID'. This study aimed to describe persisting symptoms three months after COVID-19 and risk factors associated with 'long COVID'. Materials andMethods:
This cross-sectional retrospective study included COVID-19 patients diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 PCR positivity in the first 18 months of the COVID-19 pandemic, between March 2020 and September 2021. We conducted a survey in 2022 to inquire about the participants' symptoms that lasted three months or more after their own COVID-19 period. All patients were employees of one of the biggest national banks in Turkey. Participants answered a total of 31 questions over the phone. The presence of one or more symptoms persisting ≥3 months was defined as 'long COVID'. The risk factors associated with 'long COVID' were determined.Results:
A total of 1301 patients were included in our study. The median age of patients was 40 (22-57), and 558 (42.9%) were women. 257 (19.8%) patients had 'long COVID' symptoms. The most prevalent symptoms were myalgia (14.3%), arthralgia (14.1%), and back pain (13.8%). Female gender ( p=0.000, OR=2.19 [95% CI=1.655-2.904]) and diabetes mellitus ( p=0.016, OR=2.43 [95% CI=1.177-5.017]) were found as independent risk factors for 'long COVID' by multivariant logistic regression analysis.Conclusion:
Female gender and diabetes mellitus are risk factors for 'long COVID'. Detecting patients with a high risk for developing 'long COVID' is crucial for their management during the COVID and post-COVID periods.
Texto completo:
1
Bases de dados:
MEDLINE
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Infect Dis Clin Microbiol
Ano de publicação:
2023
Tipo de documento:
Article