Assessment of Post-COVID Syndrome Manifestations among COVID-19 Subjects in Kannur District of Kerala

Abstract

A 6-month community-based, prospective, and cohort study was conducted among 250 post-COVID subjects in Kannur district of Kerala by assessing dietary diversity score (DDS), comorbidities, symptoms during COVID and post-COVID, fatigue, stress, and insomnia. Out of the 250 patients, 47.2% were male and 52.8% were female and 48% belonged to the 18–29-year age group. Among the patients, 22% had a high DDS. The most common comorbidities observed were hypertension (26%), followed by diabetes mellitus (23.2%) and cardiovascular disease (15.2%). During the period of infection, the most common symptom among patients was the loss of appetite (93.2%), followed by dry cough (92.4%) and tiredness (92%). Headache (92%) and breathlessness (90%) were the other significant symptoms. The most prevalent post-COVID symptoms were breathing difficulty (94.4%), joint pain 92.4%), (weakness (89.2%), and abdominal pain (87.2%). During COVID, 21.6% of the patients were severely fatigued, 48.8% of the patients had a moderate level of perceived stress, and 38% of the patients had subthreshold insomnia. During post-COVID, 56.8% were severely fatigued; moderate stress was found in 53.2%, of the subjects; and 56% of the study subjects had subthreshold insomnia. Through analysis of variance analysis, it is concluded that exercise has an impact on fatigue, stress level, diet pattern, and sleep pattern. Using Karl Pearson correlation coefficient of different parameters, the positively correlated variables were sleep and fatigue, sleep and stress, and stress and fatigue. The prevalence of new-onset fatigue, perceived stress, and insomnia was significant among COVID-19 survivors.