High rates of impaired quality of life and social and economic problems at 6 months after COVID-19-related ARDS

Abstract

Purpose Assess long-term quality of life (HR-QoL) and socio-economic impact in COVID-19-related ARDS (C-ARDS) survivors. Methods C-ARDS survivors were followed up at 6 months in this prospective, cohort study. HR-QoL was assessed using SF-36 and EQ-5D-5L, and the socio-economic burden of COVID-19 was evaluated with a dedicated questionnaire. Clinical data were prospectively recorded. Results Seventy-nine survivors, age 63 [57-71], 84% male, were enrolled. The frequency of EQ-5D-5L reported problems was significantly higher among survivors compared to normal, in mobility, usual activities, and self-care; anxiety and depression and pain were not different. SF-36 scores were lower than the reference population, and physical and mental summary scores were below normal in 52% and 33% of the subjects, respectively. In the multivariable analysis, prolonged hospital length of stay (OR 1.45; p 0.02) and two or more comorbidities on admission (OR 7.42; p 0.002) were significant predictors of impaired “physical” and “mental” HR-QoL, respectively. A total of 38% subjects worsened social relations, 42% changed their employment status, and 23% required personal care support. Conclusions C-ARDS survivors have long-term impairment in HR-QoL and socio-economic problems. Prolonged hospital stay and previous comorbidities are risk factors for developing health-related issues.

Repurposing clinically available drugs and therapies for pathogenic targets to combat SARS‐CoV‐2

“…The outbreak caused by SARS‐CoV‐2 threatened the world with increasing infection and massive casualties. 1 , 2 During the pandemic, the SARS‐CoV‐2 subvariants evolved rapidly with enhanced transmissibility and the alarmingly rising rate of infection. The constantly mutated S protein under high‐pressure selection rendered vaccines and antibodies somewhat less effective.…”

“…Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) caused an outbreak that started around December 2019 and quickly spread. 1 The outbreak caused a global threat to human physical and mental health worldwide. 2 According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) may be long lasting.…”

“…Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) caused an outbreak that started around December 2019 and quickly spread 1 . The outbreak caused a global threat to human physical and mental health worldwide 2 .…”

Incidence, Risk Factors, and Consequences of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms in Survivors of COVID-19-Related ARDS

“…During the structured telephone interview, patients were administered a set of questionnaires including: the five-level, five-dimensional EuroQoL questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L) [ 28 ], the EuroQol Visual Analog Scale (EQ VAS) Short Form, and the Short-Form Health Survey 36Version 2 (SF-36v2) [ 29 ] to assess the HR-QoL; a question set designed to investigate the socioeconomic status and changes in family and work circumstances and care needs [ 12 ]; the Italian version of the Impact of Event Scale—Revised (IES-R) to assess PTSD [ 30 ]. Telephone interviews lasted an average of 45 min.…”

“…Several studies have reported a substantial increase in mental health challenges among survivors [ 5 , 6 , 7 ], but also in caregivers [ 3 ] and frontline healthcare workers [ 8 , 9 ], exposing public health to great challenges [ 10 ]. Mental health problems after intensive care unit (ICU) discharge during the COVID-19 pandemic are particularly numerous and disabling [ 11 , 12 ], possibly as a consequence of exposure to extremely stressful acute events and particularly severe forms of disease, besides the often very long hospital stay and the incidence of post-intensive-care syndrome [ 6 , 7 , 13 , 14 ].…”