Post-COVID symptoms and recovery times in hospitalized mild and moderate COVID-19 patients

Abstract

Settings and Design: Retrospective online cross-sectional analytical study. Introduction: Infection with SARS-CoV-2 virus led to COVID-19 pandemic with varied clinical manifestations and multisystem involvement, which persisted beyond acute stage. To evaluate the post discharge symptoms in hospitalized mild and moderate COVID-19 patients during the initial phase of pandemic. Factors associated with post-COVID symptoms and delayed recovery times were determined. Materials and Methods: One hundred and thirty-two hospitalized patients of mild or moderate COVID-19 infection diagnosed by a positive real-time polymerase chain reaction, responded to an online questionnaire. They were followed up monthly, telephonically for post-COVID symptoms and recovery times. Microsoft Excel-Student's t-test, Fischer's exact test, Chi-square test. Results: The mean age of the patients was 51.14 ± 13.78 years with male: female ratio, 1: 0.29. 80.35% had post-acute COVID symptoms. Most frequent symptoms were cough in 37.9%, breathlessness in 36.4% and fatigue in 34.8%. New onset symptoms were insomnia in 16.67%, anxiety in10.6%, depression in 9.8%, loss of libido in 5.3%. Long COVID syndrome occurred in four patients. The factors significantly associated with post-COVID symptoms were older age, comorbidities, longer hospitalization, and moderate COVID infection, whereas delayed recovery times were associated with older age, female gender, and moderate COVID illness. Conclusions: Post-COVID symptoms occur in majority of the patients. Persistent symptoms are dry cough, dyspnea, fatigue, anosmia, and ageusia. They are significantly associated with older age, underlying comorbidities, prolonged hospitalization, and moderate COVID infection. Complete recovery occurs in most patients but delayed recovery is seen in females, elderly, and moderate COVID infection. Few may develop long COVID syndrome. The following core competencies are addressed in this article: Patient care and procedural skills, Medical knowledge.