[Persistent symptoms in healthcare workers recovered from COVID-19].

Abstract

Introduction: There is no consensus on the definition of post-acute COVID-19 syndrome. Current definitions do not consider the number, severity or prior chronic symptoms. Our aims were to describe the frequency of "new" persistent symptoms (without taking into account those already present before pandemic) following acute COVID-19 and compare with those who did not present the disease.

Materials and methods: We collected Information on 19 symptoms at two points: pre-pandemic and at survey time, through a self-administered survey targeted at health workers working in person during the pandemic.

Exclusion criteria: acute COVID-19 (or within 21 days of the initial symptom). All COVID-19 participants had previous PCR-confirmed diagnosis.

Results: Among 249 participants, 73 (29.3%) had had a diagnosis of COVID-19 and 176 (70.7%) had not. 43.8% reported at least one pre-pandemic symptom, with no significant differences between groups (44.3% vs. 42.5%, p=0.789). The median interval between COVID-19 acute illness and survey was 137 (range 38-164). The COVID-19 group reported higher frequency of "new" symptoms (39.7% vs. 12.5%, p=0.000, RR 3.17; 95% CI 1.96-5.14) with a risk difference of 27.2% (95% CI 14.98-39.46). 89% of the COVID-19 group with persistent symptoms had = 2 symptoms, and 69%, had = 3.

Discussion: The 39.7% of the COVID-19 group had persistent "new" symptoms, 27% more than the nonCOVID group. It is important to unify current definitions of post-COVID syndrome and consider including other aspects such as number, severity prior chronic symptoms.