Description
The SARS-CoV-2 virus can cause various types of long-term health sequels. The delayed effect over a long period is not clearly known. The aim of this study was to evaluate persistent symptoms 18 to 24 months after acute COVID-19 among hospitalized patients.. The study included patients hospitalized in Riga East Clinical University Hospital September-December 2020 with confirmed COVID-19. Follow-up of fifty-one patients was taken 18-24 months after acute infection. Patients were interviewed using pre-prepared questionnaires that included a post-COVID characteristic symptoms list and blood samples were taken.. The mean age of patients was 55 ± 12 years (55% women). The course of the acute COVID period was 65% - non-severe, 29% - severe and 6% - critical. In the self-assessment, 71% of patients noted the deterioration of their health. In the interviews, 82% of patients noted at least one complaint that was not observed before COVID-19. Patients noted 1-23 different symptoms: neurological or psychological - 71%, general - 59%, cardiorespiratory - 57%, digestive - 16%, dermatological – 12%, joint and muscle abnormalities - 37%, visual - 14% and hearing changes - 10%, other – 18%. The presence and number of post-COVID symptoms were not associated with patient age, gender, chronic diseases, the severity of acute COVID, or re-infection. Self-assessment was influenced by changes in weight, but the weight was not associated with the number of symptoms reported during the interview. Levels of AST, transferrin and CRO were higher in patients with post-COVID symptoms.. Deterioration of the health condition is noted by most patients 18-24 months after acute COVID. More than half of the patients note new neurological, psychological, general, and cardiorespiratory complaints. Symptoms are not related to age, gender, pre-COVID chronic diseases and acute COVID severity, but some laboratory indicators are related to the complaints.| Period | 30 Mar 2023 |
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| Event title | RSU International Research Conference 2023: Knowledge for Use in Practice |
| Event type | Conference |
| Organiser | Rīga Stradiņš University |
| Location | Riga, LatviaShow on map |
| Degree of Recognition | International |