Association between post COVID-19-related symptoms and quality of life two to three weeks after hospitalization: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background and objectives

The most frequently reported symptoms of the post-COVID-19 hospitalized patients are fatigue, dyspnea, anosmia, sleeping difficulties, chest pain, headache, cough, and mental health symptoms. Our aim was to identify common post-COVID-19 symptoms two to three weeks after the hospital discharge and their relationship with the quality of life.

Materials and methods

This cross-sectional study included 39 Post-Covid-19 patients who were discharged from the Clinic for Infectious Diseases at the University Clinical Center of Kosova UCCK. A list of symptoms of post-COVID-19 as defined by the Delphi consensus published by the WHO was recorded. Quality of life is measured using the EuroQol-5D-5L (EQ-5D-5L) instrument.

Results

Excessive tiredness (84.6%) and difficulty in breathing (64.1%) were the most common symptoms expressed by most participants. The EQ-5D-5L subscale -usual activity was correlated with excessive tiredness (r = − 0.36; 95% CI: − 0.61 to − 0.05), dizziness (r = − 0.34; 95% CI: − 0.59 to − 0.02), and depression and anxiety (r = − 0.36; 95% CI: − 0.61 to − 0.05). The pain/discomfort subscale was correlated with chest pain (r = − 0.45; 95% CI: − 0.67 to − 0.15), memory difficulties (r = − 0.35; 95% CI: − 0.60 to − 0.04), palpitations (r = − 0.38; 95% CI: − 0.62 to − 0.08), dizziness (r = − 0.34; 95% CI: − 0.59 to − 0.03) and joint pain (r = − 0.56; 95% CI: − 0.07 to − 0.30). Dizziness and joint pain were predictors of EQ-5D-5L index value, F (2, 36) = 10.73, p < 0.001.

Conclusions

Excessive tiredness and difficulty in breathing were present in more than 50% of post-COVID-19′ patients 2–3 weeks after hospital discharge, while dizziness and joint pain could be predictors of diminished quality of life.