Background Coronavirus disease once thought to be a respiratory infection is now recognised as a multi-system disease affecting the respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, neurological, immune, and hematopoietic systems. An emerging body of evidence suggests the persistence of COVID-19 symptoms of varying patterns among some survivors. This study aimed to describe persistent symptoms in COVID-19 survivors and investigate possible risk factors for these persistent symptoms. Methods The study used a retrospective study design. The study population comprised of discharged COVID-19 patients. Demographic information, days since discharge, comorbidities, and persistent COVID-19 like symptoms were assessed in patients attending the COVID-19 outpatient clinic in Lagos State. Statistical analysis was done using STATA 15.0 software (StataCorp Texas) with significance placed at p-value < 0.05. Results A total of 274 patients were enrolled in the study. A majority were within the age group > 35 to ≤49 years (38.3%), and male (66.1%). More than one-third (40.9%) had persistent COVID-19 symptoms after discharge, and 19.7% had more than three persistent COVID-like symptoms. The most persistent COVID-like symptoms experienced were easy fatigability (12.8%), headaches (12.8%), and chest pain (9.8%). Symptomatic COVID-19 disease with moderate severity compared to mild severity was a predictor of persistent COVID-like symptoms after discharge (p < 0.05). Conclusion Findings from this study suggests that patients who recovered from COVID-19 disease may still experience COVID-19 like symptoms, particularly fatigue and headaches. Therefore, careful monitoring should be in place after discharge to help mitigate the effects of these symptoms and improve the quality of life of COVID-19 survivors.

Objective. To assess parent perspectives regarding the emotional health impact of juvenile myositis (JM) on patients and families, and to assess preferences for emotional health screening and interventions. Methods. Parents of children and young adults with JM were purposively sampled for participation in focus groups at the Cure JM Foundation National Family Conference in 2018. Groups were stratified by patient age group (6-12, 13-17, and 18-21 years), and conversations were audiorecorded, transcribed verbatim, and co-coded via content analysis, with subanalysis by age group. A brief survey assessed preferences for specific emotional health interventions. Results. Forty-five parents participated in 6 focus groups. Themes emerged within 2 domains: emotional challenges, and screening and interventions. Themes for emotional challenges comprised the impact of JM on: 1) patient emotional health, particularly depression and anxiety; 2) parent emotional health characterized by sadness, grief, anger, guilt, and anxiety; and 3) family dynamics, including significant sibling distress. Subanalysis revealed similar themes across age groups, but the theme of resiliency emerged specifically for young adults. Themes for emotional health screening and interventions indicated potential issues with patient transparency, several barriers to resources, the facilitator role of rheumatology providers, and preferred intervention modalities of online and in-person resources, with survey responses most strongly supporting child/parent counseling and peer support groups. Conclusion. JM is associated with intense patient and family distress, although resiliency may emerge by young adulthood. Despite existing barriers, increasing access to counseling, peer support groups, and online resources with rheumatology facilitation may be effective intervention strategies.

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