Post-COVID conditions: co-occurrence of symptoms and challenges for comprehensive care.

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the frequency and co-occurrence of symptoms of post-COVID conditions and investigate the association with demographic variables, history of hospitalization, and demand for healthcare.

Method: A descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted with 821 participants who presented symptoms of post-COVID conditions. Descriptive analysis, association tests, and Pearson correlation were performed to identify symptom clusters.

Results: Female gender had a higher frequency of hair loss (p < 0.001), while young adults reported a higher occurrence of headache (p = 0.003). Muscle weakness was associated with hospitalization in the acute phase (p < 0.001), while a high symptomatic burden increased the frequency of admission with vital sign checks (p < 0.001). A moderate association was identified between paresthesia in upper and lower limbs; pain in upper and lower limbs; joint pain and myalgia; anxiety and depressive symptoms; anxiety and sleep disorders; nausea and epigastric pain/heartburn; nausea and dizziness; and sore throat and runny nose.

Conclusion: post-COVID conditions present a heterogeneous and multisystemic symptomatic profile, associated with demographic factors, previous severity, and greater demand for care, reinforcing the need for comprehensive care.