An Overview of Clinical Features, and Medical Access Among Patients with Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndromes: Analysis of a Nationwide Survey in Korea

Abstract

Background: The objective of this study was to identify the clinical features of patients who recovered from COVID-19, and to determine their unmet medical needs and quality of life.Methods: A cross-sectional national survey was conducted in Korea in June 2022, targeting patients with at least four weeks of symptoms of COVID-19. The questionnaire survey had 37 items across: basic characteristics, acute COVID-19 and post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (long COVID) symptoms, access to medical facilities for long COVID, unmet medical needs, long COVID support system, and quality of life.Results: Among 1,430 responses, 745 (52.1%) respondents had experienced long COVID. The most common symptoms were ear, nose, and throat complications (n = 461, 61.9%), followed by weakness and fatigue (n = 393, 52.8%). Amongst the 745 respondents who experienced long COVID, 337 (45.2%) had visited a medical institution, of which, 84.9% had visited a clinic or hospital for treatment. Korean medicine clinics and hospitals had the highest satisfaction rates (43.4%). There were 242 respondents (32.5%) who reported unmet medical needs for their long COVID. Symptom severity and duration of COVID-19 were risk factors for unmet medical needs. Quality of life was low in those patients with long COVID and unmet medical needs, and decreased further with increased severity and longer duration of symptoms.Conclusion: Studies on the effects of Korean medicine treatment of long COVID, and establishing a system providing sufficient treatment for patients with long COVID are needed. These findings could be used by clinicians, researchers, and COVID-19-related policymakers.