Comparative study of quality of life 9 months post-COVID-19 infection with SARS-CoV-2 of varying degrees of severity: impact of hospitalization vs. outpatient treatment

Abstract

PurposeThis experimental study was conducted during the post-COVID-19 period to investigate the relationship between the quality of life 9 months after and the severity of the SARS-CoV-2 infection in two scenarios: hospitalization (with/without medical oxygen) and outpatient treatment.MethodsWe employed the EQ-5D-5L Quality of Life tests and the PSQI as a survey to evaluate respondents' quality of life 9 months after a previous SARS-CoV-2 infection of varying severity.ResultsWe identified a clear difference in the quality of life of respondents, as measured on the 100-point scale of the EQ-5D-5L test, which was significantly lower 9 months after a previous SARS-CoV-2 infection for Group 1 (n = 14), respondents who had received medical attention for SARS-CoV-2 infection in a hospital with oxygen treatment, compared to those with the SARS-CoV-2 infection who were treated without oxygen treatment (Group 2) (n = 12) and those who were treated on an outpatient basis (Group 3) (n = 13) (H = 7.08 p = 0.029). There were no intergroup differences in quality of life indicators between hospitalized patients (Group 2) and groups 1 and 3. PSQI survey results showed that “mobility,” “self-care,” “daily activities,” “pain/discomfort,” and “anxiety/ depression” did not differ significantly between the groups, indicating that these factors were not associated with the severity of the SARS-CoV-2 infection. On the contrary, the respondents demonstrated significant inter-group differences (H = 7.51 p = 0.023) and the interdependence of respiratory difficulties with the severity of clinically diagnosed SARS-CoV-2 infection. This study also demonstrated significant differences in the values of sleep duration, sleep disorders, and daytime sleepiness indicators between the three groups of respondents, which indicate the influence of the severity of the infection. The PSQI test results revealed significant differences in “bedtime” (H = 6.00 p = 0.050) and “wake-up time” (H = 11.17 p = 0.004) between Groups 1 and 3 of respondents. At 9 months after COVID-19, respondents in Group 1 went to bed at a later time (pp = 0.02727) and woke up later (p = 0.003) than the respondents in Group 3.ConclusionThis study is the first of its kind in the current literature to report on the quality of life of respondents 9 months after being diagnosed with COVID-19 and to draw comparisons between cohorts of hospitalized patients who were treated with medical oxygen vs. the cohorts of outpatient patients. The study's findings regarding post-COVID-19 quality of life indicators and their correlation with the severity of the SARS-CoV-2 infection can be used to categorize patients for targeted post-COVID-19 rehabilitation programs.

Symptom trajectories of post-COVID sequelae in patients with acute Delta or Omicron infection in Bergen, Norway

“…Our finding of increasing cognitive and depressive symptoms during the 4-month period after acute infection is of concern. While depression has been associated with post-COVID-19 condition ( 43 , 44 ), studies have highlighted that post-COVID-19 depression was not associated with severity of acute illness ( 45 ), and that preexisting depression is a risk factor for developing post-COVID-19 condition ( 34 , 46 ). This alludes to depression being more of a preexisting risk factor, rather than caused by COVID-19.…”

Comparing COVID-19 severity in patients hospitalized for community-associated Delta, BA.1 and BA.4/5 variant infection

“…Studies published on the severity of BA.4/5 found no difference, increase or decrease compared to the earlier Omicron variants ( 3 , 24 , 26 , 33 , 35 , 36 ). However, these conflicting results merit further research as do studies regarding quality of life indicators and their correlation with the severity of the SARS-CoV-2 infection ( 37 ).…”