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IntroductionA large proportion of patients experiences a wide range of sequelae after acute COVID-19 infection, especially after severe illness. The long-term health sequelae need to be assessed. Our objective was to longitudinally assess persistence of symptoms and clusters of symptoms up to 12 months after hospitalization for COVID-19, and to assess determinants of the main persistent symptoms.MethodsIn this multicenter prospective cohort study patients with COVID-19 are followed up for 2 years with measurements at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after hospital discharge. Here, we present interim results regarding persistent symptoms up to 12 months. Symptoms were clustered into physical, respiratory, cognitive and fatigue symptoms.ResultsWe included 492 patients; mean age was 60.2±10.7 years, 335 (68.1%) males, median length of hospital stay 11 (6.0-27.0) days. At 3 months after discharge 97.0% of the patients had at least 1 persisting symptom, this declined to 95.5% and 92.0% at 6 and 12 months, respectively (p=0.010). Muscle weakness, exertional dyspnea, fatigue, and memory and concentration problems were the most prevalent symptoms with rates over 50% during follow-up. Over time, muscle weakness, hair loss, and exertional dyspnea decreased significantly (pConclusionThe majority of patients experienced COVID-19 sequelae up to 12 months after hospitalization. Whereas physical and respiratory symptoms showed slow gradual decline, fatigue and cognitive symptoms did not evidently resolve over time. This finding stresses the importance of finding the underlying causes and effective treatments for post-COVID condition, beside adequate COVID-19 prevention. |
