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Title: | Recovery from COVID-19: a sprint or marathon? 6-month follow-up data from online long COVID-19 support group members | Authors: | Vaes, Anouk Goërtz, Yvonne VAN HERCK, Maarten Machado, Felipe Meys, Roy Delbressine, Jeannet Houben-Wilke, Sarah Gaffron, Swetlana Maier, Dieter BURTIN, Chris Posthuma, Rein Van Loon, Nicole Franssen, Frits Hajian, Bita Simons, Sami Van Boven, Job Klok, Frederikus Spaetgens, Bart Pinxt, Claire Liu, Limmie Wesseling, Geertjan Spies, Yvonne Vijlbrief, Herman Van 't Hul, Alex Janssen, Daisy SPRUIT, Martijn A. |
Issue Date: | 2021 | Publisher: | European Respiratory Society | Source: | ERJ open research, 7 (2) (Art N° 00141-2021) | Abstract: | Background: It remains unknown whether and to what extent members of online "long COVID" peer support groups remain symptomatic and limited over time. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate symptoms in members of online long COVID peer support groups up to 6 months after the onset of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related symptoms. Methods: Demographics, symptoms, health status, work productivity, functional status and health-related quality of life were assessed about 3 and 6 months after the onset of COVID-19-related symptoms in members of online long COVID peer support groups. Results: Data from 239 patients with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis (83% women; median (interquartile range) age 50 (39-56) years) were analysed. During the infection, a median (interquartile range) of 15 (11-18) symptoms was reported, which was significantly lower 3 and 6 months later: 6 (4-9) and 6 (3-8), respectively (p<0.05). From 3 to 6 months follow-up, the proportion of patients without symptoms increased from 1.3% to only 5.4% (p<0.001). Patients also reported a significantly improved work productivity (work absenteeism and presenteeism: 73% versus 52% and 66% versus 60%, respectively), self-reported good health (9.2% versus 16.7%), functional status (mean±SD Post-COVID-19 Functional Status scale: 2.4±0.9 versus 2.2±1.0) and health-related quality of life (all p<0.05). Conclusion: Although patients with confirmed COVID-19, who were all members of online long COVID peer support groups, reported significant improvements in work productivity, functional status and quality of life between 3 and 6 months follow-up, these data clearly highlight the long-term impact of COVID-19, as approximately 6 months after the onset of COVID-19-related symptoms a large proportion still experienced persistent symptoms, a moderate-to-poor health, moderate-to-severe functional limitations, considerable loss in work productivity, and/or an impaired quality of life. Action is needed to improve the management and healthcare of these patients. | Document URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/1942/34255 | e-ISSN: | 2312-0541 | DOI: | 10.1183/23120541.00141-2021 | ISI #: | WOS:000684169700016 | Datasets of the publication: | METC2020-1978, METC2020-2554, and MEC2020/041 | Rights: | Copyright ©The authors 2021. This version is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Licence 4.0. For commercial reproduction rights and permissions contact permissions@ersnet.org | Category: | A1 | Type: | Journal Contribution | Validations: | ecoom 2023 |
Appears in Collections: | Research publications |
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Vaes et al 2021 - ERJ open research.pdf | Published version | 1.22 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
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