COVID-19 Symptoms Time Trend: Comparison Between 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 Years in a General Medicine Office in Toledo, Spain

Abstract

Background: It is not well known if there have been changes in the clinical-epidemiological characteristics during the evolution of COVID-19 from 2020 to 2023. Objective: To know the variations the clinical features of cases of COVID-19 from 2020 to 2023. Methodology: Descriptive analysis and comparison of secondary data of cases of COVID-19 from previous studies in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 years, all of them carried out in the same population of patients treated in a general medicine office in Toledo, Spain. Results: 100 COVID-19 cases were included in 2020, 42 in 2021, 46 in 2022, and 76 in 2023. The statistically significant differences between the symptoms were: 1) ENT symptoms (anosmia / ageusia, odynophagia, dysphonia, rhinorrhea, sneezing, nasal congestion, pharyngeal dryness-mucus, ear pain, epixtasis) were significantly more frequent in 2021, 2022 and 2023 versus 2020. And 2) Digestive symptoms (anorexia, nausea / vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain) were significantly less frequent in 2022 and 2023 versus 2020 and 2021. Conclusion: In the general practice setting in Toledo (Spain), from 2020 to 2023, a variation in the clinical presentation of COVID-19 is observed, with a tendency to predominate ENT symptoms and to present fewer digestive symptoms from 2021. This trend clinical presentation carries the risk that it can make one forget prevention measures, the careful evaluation of symptoms, and epidemiological control.