The Magnitude of Emerging and Re-Emerging Symptoms and Morbidities among Previously Infected COVID -19 Patients in Puducherry- A Follow-up Study

Abstract

ackground: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) a highly contagious disease which is caused by the severe sensitive respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Recovery of some patients is prolonged due to unknown factors. Persistent viremia may be attributed to decreased immunity, recurrent infection, inflammation, immune responses, and a decline in psychological health. This study assessed the significance of symptoms and morbidities in COVID -19 patients after their acute COVID illness.

Material and method: This retrospective-prospective hybrid study was conducted among patients from rural and urban areas to AVMC&H. Patients aged more than 18 years with previously confirmed COVID -19 infection after 12 weeks of COVID-19 illness. Interviews were conducted by house-to-house survey after obtaining informed consent. Patients with acute COVID-19 disease and not ready to take part in the study were not considered. All the statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v28.

Result: A total of 250 patients fulfilling inclusion criteria were included by means age of 43.6±14.77 years; among them, 55.2% (n=138) were males. Patients documented chest pain (13.2%), palpitation (18%), giddiness (14%), breathlessness (11.2%), cough (12%), fatigue (40.4%), headache (8.6%), loss of taste (1.6%), sleep disturbance (10.8%). Rehospitalization rates were very low (1%) among previously hospitalized patients (40% n=100), and the average duration of hospitalization was 2.8 days.

Conclusion: The present study documents the presence of post-COVID symptoms among the patients after their sharp COVID-19 disease and the number of symptoms strongly associated with comorbidities.