RESUMEN
SARS-CoV-2 caused the pandemic of the rapidly evolving COVID-19. As of December 6, 2023, there were 765,152,854 COVID-19-recovering cases. Long-term consequences known as "long COVID" and "post-COVID-19 conditions" (PCCs) or "post-acute COVID-19 syndrome" are being reported more frequently in a subset of recovering patients. Systemic, neuropsychiatric, cardio-respiratory, and gastrointestinal symptoms are the most prevalent. The management of PCCs poses unique challenges due to the lack of official guidelines and the complex nature of the illness. This abstract highlights key principles derived from recent reviews and expert recommendations to provide healthcare professionals with a comprehensive approach to manage post-COVID-19 patients. Preventive medicine plays a crucial role in managing PCCs. While no specific medications are available for treatment, preventive measures such as COVID-19 vaccination, adherence to precautionary measures, regular consultations with medical professionals, monitoring symptoms and progress, and seeking information on symptom management are essential to assist patients in their recovery and improve their quality of life. Medical management requires transparent goal-setting and collaborative decision-making based on the patient's symptoms, comorbidities, and treatment objectives. Treatment plans for post-COVID-19 patients should focus on patient education, using registries and calendars to track symptoms and triggers, providing support and reassurance, and offering holistic support through peer networks and supportive psychotherapy techniques. Symptomatic and rehabilitative care, including well-established symptom management techniques, physical rehabilitation programs, and addressing mental health and well-being, are vital components of post-COVID-19 management. Lifestyle factors such as stress reduction, nutrition, and sleep should be incorporated into managing underlying medical conditions in post-COVID-19 patients. Regular follow-up visits and referrals to specialists are recommended to monitor the patient's progress and address specific organ system involvement or additional care needs. In summary, for the effective management of PCCs, a holistic approach should include preventive measures, patient education, supportive psychotherapy, symptomatic and rehabilitative care, medical management, counseling on lifestyle elements, and appropriate follow-up plans. However, it is crucial to stay updated with evolving guidelines and recommendations from healthcare authorities to provide the most effective and evidence-based care to post-COVID-19 patients.
RESUMEN
Background: The fight against COVID-19 appears to extend beyond screening and treatment of acute diseases to its medium- and long-term health consequences. Little is known about the epidemiology and the determinants of developing post-COVID-19 conditions (PCCs) among children. The aims of this study were to explore and determine the prevalence of PCCs among three age groups (children and adolescents, adults, and the elderly), and study the predictors of participants' return to their pre-COVID-19 health status among COVID-19 patients at least four weeks after they got sick, from February to 15 July 2022. Methods: This comparison survey study targeted 12,121 COVID-19 patients who fulfilled the selection criteria from the national register system and received a virtual assessment from the Medical Consultation Call Center (937), which was conducted by a well-trained family physician using a validated, well-structured assessment tool. The collected data were coded and analyzed using appropriate tests. Results: Out of the 12,121 recovered COVID-19 patients who received the virtual assessment calls, only 5909 (48.8%) agreed and completed the assessment. The majority of participants (4973, or 84.2%) reported no PCCs. The most common PCCs among young people were a cough, dyspnea, fatigue, and loss of appetite or weight loss, while among the elderly they were a cough, dyspnea, fatigue, stomachaches, poor concentration, sleep disturbance, and recurrent fever. Most post-COVID-19 cases require nothing more than reassurance and health education as only 384 (6.5%) required referral to primary health care centers (PHCCs.) The severity of COVID-19 infection, age group, sex, vaccination status, and body mass index were significant predictors for returning to the pre-infection health status and the required referral was significantly related to many factors. Conclusions: The comparison of children, adults, and the elderly with regard to the acute and post-COVID-19 conditions in Saudi Arabia in terms of the clinical health assessment and the required management plans showed significant differences.
