Features of postcovid syndrome in patients with rheumatic diseases

Abstract

Purpose of the study. To study the frequency and structure of postcovid syndrome (PCS) in patients with rheumatic diseases (RD).Materials and methods. The study included 70 patients with RD who had a coronavirus infection during the year. A questionnaire was carried out on the severity of the coronavirus infection, persisting symptoms in the postcovid period. Questionnaires of anxiety and depression, sleep quality were used, the activity of RD was assessed.Results. Manifestations of PCS occurred in 50 (71 %) patients, of which 47 (67 %) had 2 or more manifestations. PCS was observed equally often in patients with different severity of infection. Such the symptoms of PCS as weakness, arthralgia, increased blood pressure, shortness of breath, tachycardia prevailed during 3 months after COVID-19. Half of the patients had a decrease in the severity of weakness, arthralgia and shortness of breath after 6 months, but the destabilization of blood pressure and tachycardia remained at the same level. Such the psychoemotional manifestations of PCS as moderate depression, memory impairment, insomnia were observed.Conclusions. More than 2/3 of patients with RS who have undergone COVID-19 are faced with PKS. In 1/3 of the examined patients with RD the duration of the persistence of symptoms of PCS exceeds 6 months after infection. After revealing of blood pressure destabilization in patients with rheumatic diseases, it is advisable to assess cardiovascular risks in patients who have undergone COVID-19.