LONG COVID AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS IN INDIVIDUALS FROM SOUTHERN BRAZIL: A POPULATION-BASED STUDY SULCOVID-19

Abstract

The present study aimed to verify the prevalence and factors associated with COVID-19 and describe the main residual symptoms in individuals from the extreme south of Brazil. This is a cross-sectional study with 2,919 individuals older than 18 years diagnosed with COVID-19 in the period from December 2020 to March 2021 and who continued with symptoms after 6-9 months of infection. The prevalence of long COVID was 48.3% (95% CI 46.5; 50.1). The most prevalent residual symptoms were fatigue, memory loss, loss of attention, headache, loss of smell, muscle pain, and loss of taste. The groups most likely to develop long COVID were female, had anxiety, hypertension, heart problems, diabetes mellitus, musculoskeletal problems, respiratory problems, previous morbidities, and hospital admission. Physical activity and self-perception of good and very good health were protective factors for the outcome. When adjusted, female gender, anxiety, morbidities, and hospitalization remained associated with the outcome. This study showed that half of the individuals developed long COVID after 6-9 months of infection, highlighting female individuals and those with chronic conditions, demanding the creation of public policies that promote comprehensive and continued assistance to them.