Factors associated with impaired quality of life three months after being diagnosed with COVID-19

Abstract

Purpose To assess patient characteristics associated with health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) and its mental and physical subcategories 3 months after diagnosis with COVID-19. Methods In this prospective multicentre cohort study, HR-QoL was assessed in 90 patients using the SF-36 questionnaire (36-item Short Form Health Survey), which consists of 8 health domains that can be divided into a mental and physical health component. Mental health symptoms including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorders were evaluated using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-5 (PCL-5) 3 months after COVID-19. Using descriptive statistics and multivariable regression analysis, we identified factors associated with impaired HR-QoL 3 months after COVID-19 diagnosis. Results Patients were 55 years of age (IQR, 49–63; 39% women) and were classified as severe (23%), moderate (57%), or mild (20%) according to acute disease severity. HR-QoL was impaired in 28/90 patients (31%). Younger age [per year, adjOR (95%CI) 0.94 (0.88–1.00), p = 0.049], longer hospitalization [per day, adjOR (95%CI) 1.07 (1.01–1.13), p = 0.015], impaired sleep [adjOR (95%CI) 5.54 (1.2–25.61), p = 0.028], and anxiety [adjOR (95%CI) 15.67 (3.03–80.99), p = 0.001) were independently associated with impaired HR-QoL. Twenty-nine percent (n = 26) scored below the normal range on the mental health component of the SF-36 and independent associations emerged for anxiety, depression, and self-reported numbness. Impairments in the physical health component of the SF-36 were reported by 12 (13%) patients and linked to hypogeusia and fatigue. Conclusion Every third patient reported a reduction in HR-QoL 3 months after COVID-19 diagnosis and impairments were more prominent in mental than physical well-being.

The course and determinants of post-traumatic stress over 12 months after hospitalization for COVID-19

“…The prevalence of PTSD in this study was in line with studies with similar populations 2-12 months after hospitalization for COVID-19 (10,11,(13)(14)(15)(16)(17), but lower than in some populations with more severe disease (8,12,18,25). However, rates of PTSD disorders following COVID-19 as low as 3.8% has been reported in combined hospitalized/non-hospitalized samples (26).…”

“…Recent studies have reported significant PTSD symptoms during and after hospitalization for COVID-19 among 2-40 % of patients with follow-up of 1-6 months, and just recently 12-15 months, in cross-sectional or cohort studies (8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20). Prevalence rates vary according to time after acute COVID-19, assessment method, sample selection, and geographical region.…”

Effectiveness of cardiopulmonary rehabilitation after COVID-19 in Poland

“…Disease complications and post-COVID/long COVID syndromes are responsible for the deterioration of the general condition and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) of convalescents due to: slow regression of inflammatory changes in the lungs and persistence of respiratory failure with dyspnea, chronic cough, and development of interstitial pulmonary fibrosis [4]; cardiological complications, including myocarditis and ventricular arrhythmias [5]; thromboembolic events, including pulmonary embolism [6]; neurological complications, such as myopathy and neuropathy, associated with prolonged immobilization and leading to motor disabilities and limitations in performing daily activities [7]; persistent osteoarticular pain [3]; chronic fatigue or muscle weakness [3]; depression and anxiety worsening the quality of life and physical effort tolerance [3,8]; and exacerbation of chronic diseases. Therefore, comprehensive CR of symptomatic patients with a history of COVID-19 is recommended by experts worldwide [9,10].…”

Psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the EuroQol-5D-5L in previously hospitalized COVID-19 survivors with long COVID

“…Other PROMs assessing HRQoL, e.g., SF-12 30 , 15D 31 , or SF-36 32 , have been also used in individuals with post-COVID symptoms. All these studies reported the same results, people with long-COVID exhibit reduced HRQoL.…”