NLC Abstracts

Abstract

Background: SARS-CoV-2 virus, causing Covid-19, continues to be a public health concern. Long-term sequela after infection with Covid-19 has been reported worldwide and holds the risk of becoming a major health concern. Ongoing symptoms more than 3 months after infection is now defined as long Covid. Fatigue and psychological distress are among the most common symptoms in long Covid. Aim: To investigate severe fatigue and psychological distress after hospitalization in patients with Covid-19. Methods: Patients hospitalized with Covid-19 in the Central Denmark Region were invited for follow-up 3- 6 months after discharge. Psychological distress was measured by Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) with a HADS score ≥8 identifying cases of anxiety and depression in the two subdomains. Fatigue was assessed using Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS) with a FAS ≥35 indicating severe fatigue. Basic characteristics from the hospitalization were registered. Results: A total of 218 patients (mean age 59.9 (95% CI 58.2, 61.7), 59% men) reported a mean HADS of 7.9 (95% CI 6.95, 8.93). Cases of anxiety and depression were found in 23 and 16% of all patients, respectively. Overall, a mean FAS of 25.6 (95% CI 24.3, 26.9) was found with 34 patients (18%) reporting severe fatigue. Patients with severe fatigue (mean age of 54.2 (95% CI 50.3, 58.1), 47% males), cases of anxiety and depression was reported by 59 and 62%, respectively. Analyses of FAS in subdomains on mental and physical fatigue showed mean scores of 19.3 (95% CI 18.5, 20.2) and 20.6 (95% CI 19.8, 21.5), respectively. Conclusion: Severe fatigue is common after hospitalization in patients with Covid-19 and includes both mental and physical fatigue. In addition, cases of anxiety and depression are common in patients with severe fatigue.