Multidimensional phenotyping of the post-COVID-19 syndrome: A Swiss survey study.
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BORIS DOI
Publisher DOI
PubMed ID
35975339
Description
INTRODUCTION
Post-COVID-19 syndrome affects approximately 10-25% of people after a COVID-19 infection, irrespective of initial COVID-19 severity. The aim of this project was to assess the clinical characteristics, course, and prognosis of post-COVID-19 syndrome using a systematic multidimensional approach.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
An online survey of people with suspected and confirmed COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 syndrome, distributed via Swiss COVID-19 support groups, social media, and our post-COVID-19 consultation, was performed. A total of 8 post-infectious domains were assessed with 120 questions. Data were collected from October 15 to December 12, 2021, and 309 participants were included. Analysis of clinical phenomenology of post-COVID-19 syndrome was performed using comparative statistics.
RESULTS
The three most prevalent post-COVID-19 symptoms in our survey cohort were fatigue (288/309, 93.2%), pain including headache (218/309, 70.6%), and sleep-wake disturbances (mainly insomnia and excessive daytime sleepiness, 145/309, 46.9%). Post-COVID-19 syndrome had an impact on work ability, as more than half of the respondents (168/268, 62.7%) reported an inability to work, which lasted on average 26.6 weeks (95% CI 23.5-29.6, range 1-94, n = 168). Quality of life measured by WHO-5 Well-being Index was overall low in respondents with post-COVID-19 syndrome (mean, 95% CI 9.1 [8.5-9.8], range 1-25, n = 239).
CONCLUSION
Fatigue, pain, and sleep-wake disturbances were the main symptoms of the post-COVID-19 syndrome in our cohort and had an impact on the quality of life and ability to work in a majority of patients. However, survey respondents reported a significant reduction in symptoms over 12 months. Post-COVID-19 syndrome remains a significant challenge. Further studies to characterize this syndrome and to explore therapeutic options are therefore urgently needed.
Post-COVID-19 syndrome affects approximately 10-25% of people after a COVID-19 infection, irrespective of initial COVID-19 severity. The aim of this project was to assess the clinical characteristics, course, and prognosis of post-COVID-19 syndrome using a systematic multidimensional approach.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
An online survey of people with suspected and confirmed COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 syndrome, distributed via Swiss COVID-19 support groups, social media, and our post-COVID-19 consultation, was performed. A total of 8 post-infectious domains were assessed with 120 questions. Data were collected from October 15 to December 12, 2021, and 309 participants were included. Analysis of clinical phenomenology of post-COVID-19 syndrome was performed using comparative statistics.
RESULTS
The three most prevalent post-COVID-19 symptoms in our survey cohort were fatigue (288/309, 93.2%), pain including headache (218/309, 70.6%), and sleep-wake disturbances (mainly insomnia and excessive daytime sleepiness, 145/309, 46.9%). Post-COVID-19 syndrome had an impact on work ability, as more than half of the respondents (168/268, 62.7%) reported an inability to work, which lasted on average 26.6 weeks (95% CI 23.5-29.6, range 1-94, n = 168). Quality of life measured by WHO-5 Well-being Index was overall low in respondents with post-COVID-19 syndrome (mean, 95% CI 9.1 [8.5-9.8], range 1-25, n = 239).
CONCLUSION
Fatigue, pain, and sleep-wake disturbances were the main symptoms of the post-COVID-19 syndrome in our cohort and had an impact on the quality of life and ability to work in a majority of patients. However, survey respondents reported a significant reduction in symptoms over 12 months. Post-COVID-19 syndrome remains a significant challenge. Further studies to characterize this syndrome and to explore therapeutic options are therefore urgently needed.
Date of Publication
2022-12
Publication Type
Article
Subject(s)
Keyword(s)
SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus long-term symptoms neuropsychiatric symptoms post-infectious viral infection
Language(s)
en
Contributor(s)
Additional Credits
Series
CNS neuroscience & therapeutics
Publisher
Wiley
ISSN
1755-5949
Access(Rights)
open.access