Prevalence of Post COVID-19 condition in SARS-Cov-2 infection patients at 3 months follow up in Chaiya Hospital, Surat Thani

Abstract

Background: Post-acute COVID Syndrome (Long COVID) is defined as when a patient has recovered from the acute phase of the coronavirus disease 2019 but still has physical and/or mental symptoms which occur at 12 weeks after infection.

Objective: This study aimed to explore the prevalence and factors associated with Long COVID.

Method: Analytical cross-sectional research was conducted in patient databased recorded in HOSxP at Chaiya Hospital, Surat-Thani from January 2021-August 2022.

Results: The prevalence of symptoms after 12 weeks of acute covid-19 infection was dyspnea (4 %), insomnia (2 %), dry cough (1.3%), fatigue (1.3%). and 9.1 % had at least one symptom of long covid at 12 weeks follow up. It was found that prevalence of long covid occurred in female more than male (11.9% vs 5.0% p-value = .042).Patients with underlying Diabetes millitus are more likely to develop symptoms than others NCD (Hypertension, old myocardial infarction, stroke, primary hyperthyroid) at 20.7% vs 7.9 % (p-value = .023).History of covid-19 vaccination can decrease symptom of long covid by only 1.1%  of vaccinated patients got long covid at 12 weeks follow- up (p-value = .002). And finally we found that old age patients (40-59 years and 59 years and over) will develop more long covid symptom than patient age 18-39 years (p=.001,p=.044).

Conclusion: The prevalence of Long COVID with at least one residual symptom was noticed. Common symptoms included dyspnea, insomnia, dry cough and fatigue. Factors associated with Long COVID syndrome were sex, in which female were found more than male, Diabetic patients and older age will develop more long covid symptom and the most important analysis data is covid vaccination can decrease long covid symptom. According to the study results, patients infected with the coronavirus 2019 suffer from Long-COVID-19. The public health system should provide surveillance, screening, and monitoring of patient symptoms, advise on observing symptoms after hospital discharged, and provide medical services.