CLINICAL STUDY OF POST COVID SYMPTOMS AFTER 1ST WAVE OF COVID 19, AT A TERTIARY HOSPITAL

Abstract

Background: Early reports suggest residual effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection, such as fatigue, dyspnea, chest pain, cognitive disturbances, arthralgia and decline in quality of life. In present study we aimed to evaluate post covid symptoms after 1st wave of COVID 19 in COVID 19 recovered patients at a tertiary hospital. Present study was Material and Methods: hospital based, descriptive, cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study conducted in Covid 19 positive patients (RT-PCR or Rapid Antigen positive patients) either hospital admitted or home isolation patients, recovered (either RTPCR negative or completed 14 days isolation and no symptoms) came to post covid OPD for follow up, were studied. In present study 101 post Results: COVID 19 recovered patients were studied. Most of patients were from age group 51-60 years (19.8 %) followed by age group 41-50 years (16.83 %). Male patients (65.35 %) were more than female patients (34.65%), male to female ratio was 1.9 :1. Majority of patients received treatment at hospital (75.25%) & were diagnosed by RTPCR (57.43%). Most of patients had recovered from COVID 61-90 days ago (28.71%) followed by 121-150 days ago (19.8%). During acute COVID-19 pneumonia was diagnosed in 36.63 % cases. Other characteristics were intensive care unit admission (14.85 %), oxygen supplementation (21.78 %), noninvasive ventilation (7.92 %) & mechanical ventilation (2.97 %). Pre-existing comorbidities noted were hypertension (12.87 %), thyroid disease (4.95 %), diabetes (3.96 %), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (3.96 %), h/o kidney failure (1.98 %), active smoker (8.91 %) & former smoker (14.85 %). No regular physical activity was noted in 83.17 %. Post COVID symptoms noted in present study were cough (14.85 %), fatigue (13.86 %), Breathlessness (8.91 %), headaches (5.94 %), myalgia (3.96 %), palpitation (3.96 %), loss of smell sensation (3.96 %), muscle weakness (2.97 %), loss of taste sensation (2.97 %) & chest pain (1.98 %). Most of the Conclusion: COVID-19 survivors experienced mild post-recovery symptoms such as cough, fatigue, breathlessness, headache, myalgia & palpitation. Raising awareness, recognition, research, and multidisciplinary involvement will be considered the cornerstones to manage long-term sequelae of COVID-19 effectively.