Outcomes and Clinical Profiles of Health Care Workers who Recovered from COVID-19: A Cross-sectional Study on Follow-up and Post-COVID-19 Syndrome.

Abstract

Background: Infection from SARS-CoV-2 have transient and long-term complications. Persistent symptoms post-recovery with perceptions of overall physical and mental health status are crucial information to construe on follow-up care.

Objective: To describe the clinical profile, general, and mental health outcomes of hospital staff who recovered from COVID-19 at follow-up 12 weeks or more post-convalescent.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study on follow-up of hospital staff who recovered from COVID-19. Study population included staff or health care workers of a COVID-19 referral tertiary hospital, who had laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 via RT-PCR. Informed consent was obtained through phone calls and google forms. Data collection was through a self-administered, on-line google form or voice-call interviewer-assisted questionnaire. Analysis was done with Stata 17 using frequencies, proportions, and cross-tabulations.

Results: Persistent symptoms reported several months post-recovery from COVID-19 included fatigue (25%), difficulty of breathing (23%), muscle weakness (16%), nasal congestion (12%), cough (10%), sore throat (5%), anosmia (3%), and ageusia (2%). Symptoms of physical and mental fatigue post-COVID-19 were reported by 25% (N = 93) with extreme fatigue reported by four staff. Fifteen percent (N = 57) reported that they feel that their workload or schedule needed modification after recovery. Feelings of isolation, depression, and anxiety were the most common mental health issues reported. Screening using validated tools showed that depressive symptoms were present in 45% (N = 145) and anxiety in 18% (N = 53).

Conclusion: Healthcare workers who recovered from COVID-19 for at least 12 weeks or more described their health status as comparable to their overall health one year before the infection. Physical and mental health symptoms reported 12 weeks post-recovery include fatigue, breathlessness, anxiety, and depression and were described in various levels of severity.