Previously healthy unvaccinated adults have significant functional limitations in the medium and long term after mild COVID-19

Bower, WF; D&#39;Souza, AN; Barson, E; Marston, C; Granger, CL; Beach, L; Bond, K; Khan, F

Author(s): Bower, WF; D'Souza, AN; Barson, E; Marston, C; Granger, CL; Beach, L; Bond, K; Khan, F;
Details: Publication Year 2024-07,Volume 53,Issue #7,Page 491-497
Journal Title: Australian Journal of General Practice
Publication Type: Research article
Abstract: BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Ongoing symptoms of COVID-19 can persist for weeks or months after the initial COVID-19 infection. The aim of this study was to identify persistent symptoms (fatigue, cognition, quality of life, anxiety, depression and physical measures) in unvaccinated community-managed patients following COVID-19 infection. METHOD: This was a prospective nested observational study of health and wellbeing measures determined seven and 13 months after COVID-19 infection, alongside physical abilities after 18 months. RESULTS: Data analyses were completed on 62 participants (60% female, median age 35 years). Severe fatigue was noted in 47% of participants at seven months and this had not improved significantly by 13 months (45%). Quality of life and mental health scores were significantly worse in individuals with severe fatigue. One-quarter of participants demonstrated mild cognitive impairment at seven months. After 18 months, walking and lung function were normal, but grip strength was reduced in 26% of participants. DISCUSSION: A significant proportion of unvaccinated COVID-19 patients had not returned to pre-illness levels of health and function after one year; screening functional ability and mental wellbeing is warranted in unvaccinated people with COVID-19.
Publisher: Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
Keywords: Humans; *COVID-19/complications/physiopathology; Female; Male; Prospective Studies; Adult; *Quality of Life/psychology; SARS-CoV-2; Fatigue/etiology/physiopathology; Anxiety/etiology/psychology; Depression/etiology/psychology/physiopathology; Cognitive Dysfunction/etiology/physiopathology; Middle Aged
Department(s): Psychosocial Oncology
Publisher's Version: https://doi.org/10.31128/ajgp-07-23-6900
Terms of Use/Rights Notice: Refer to copyright notice on published article.

Creation Date: 2024-07-30 06:26:15

Last Modified: 2024-07-30 06:34:07