Recovery from COVID-19: a sprint or marathon? 6-month follow-up data from online long COVID-19 support group members

Abstract

BackgroundIt remains unknown whether and to what extent members of online long COVID-19 peer support groups remain symptomatic and limited over time. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate symptoms in members of online long COVID-19 peer support groups up to 6 months after the onset of COVID-19-related symptoms.MethodsDemographics, symptoms, health status, work productivity, functional status and health-related quality of life were assessed about 3 and 6 months after the onset of COVID-19-related symptoms in members of online long COVID-19 peer support groups.ResultsData of 239 patients with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis (83% women; median (IQR) age: 50 (39–56) years) were analysed. During the infection, a median (IQR) of 15 (11–18) symptoms was reported, which was significantly lower 3 and 6 months later: 6 (4–9) and 6 (3–8), respectively (p<0.05). From 3 to 6 months follow-up, the proportion of patients without symptoms increased from 1.3% to only 5.4% (p<0.001). Patients also reported a significantly improved work productivity (work absenteeism and presenteeism: 73% versus 52% and 66% versus 60%), self-reported good health (9.2% versus 16.7%), functional status (Post COVID-19 Functional Status scale: 2.4 (0.9) versus 2.2 (0.8)) and health-related quality of life (all p<0.05).ConclusionAlthough patients with confirmed COVID-19, who were all members of online long COVID-19 peer support groups, reported significant improvements in work productivity, functional status and quality of life between 3 and 6 months follow up, these data clearly highlight the long-term impact of COVID-19, as approximately 6 months after the onset of COVID-19-related symptoms a large proportion still experienced persistent symptoms, a moderate-to-poor health, moderate to severe functional limitations, considerable loss in work productivity, and/or an impaired quality of life. Action is needed to improve the management and healthcare of these patients.

Recovery after Covid-19

“…First, considering the number of infected people globally, current prevalence estimates suggest PASC affects many million people. Also, at least in a subset, various health status domains in these patients are severely affected [7] , [11] , and, as corroborated by the plateau phase of the incident recovery curve in the study by Liu et al . [9] , affected people are mostly recovering only slowly.…”

“…On the population level, older age, female sex, comorbidities, and being symptomatic at diagnosis were risk factors identified by Liu et al [9] . It is, however, also noted in clinical practice [7] and in samples drawn from post-Covid-19 social support groups [11] that those presenting with persisting symptoms after mild Covid-19 are mostly younger and have few comorbidities. At this point, explaining these risk factors would only be speculative.…”

“…[9] , affected people are mostly recovering only slowly. Third, complicated recovery trajectories are associated with significant loss of productivity [11] . Fourth, clearly there are many knowledge gaps regarding pathophysiology and treatment of PASC for which extensive multidisciplinary research programs, such as those in the UK and USA [12] , have been put in place.…”

The Impact of Post-COVID-19 Syndrome on Self-Reported Physical Activity

“…All adult respondents (aged 18 years or older) gave digital informed consent at the start of the questionnaires. Data about symptoms, care dependency, information needs, functional status, work productivity and quality of life have been published before [ 4 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ].…”

Pulmonary rehabilitation in long COVID: more than just natural recovery!?

“…Although a large proportion of COVID-19 patients recovers fully from the disease, approximately 5% to 10% experience prolonged symptoms for several months following the acute COVID-19 phase [2][3][4]. This results in millions of people suffering from COVID-19 sequelae worldwide.…”