Post COVID-19 Syndrome: Assessment of Short- and Long-Term Post-Recovery Manifestations Among Pakistani Community

Abstract

Background: The long-term effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection are becoming a significant cause of concern for society and healthcare systems. This study determined the variety of symptoms short and long-term after recovery from COVID-19 infection. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 100 subjects followed for 2 years, all COVID-19 infection survivors (RT-PCR positive), 18 years and above were recruited. Participants were examined and screened with WHO post-COVID assessment criteria for post-acute (>2 weeks) and long-term (>4 weeks) symptoms that lingered on post-recovery of acute illness. Chi-square was used for the association with the outcome variable with p-value < 0.05 was significant. Results: The mean age of the participants was 37.8+10.3 years with the majority 55% being men. There was complete resolution of symptoms in 86% whereas 14% had lingering symptoms post-COVID (p=0.549). The most common severe symptoms in the post-acute phase (after 2 weeks) in COVID recoveries were fatigue, myalgias followed by anosmia and ageusia. Persistent long-term (after 4 weeks) presentations in the COVID survivors were cardiac and neurological complications such as CAD (coronary artery disease) and Bell’s palsy followed by long-term fatigue/generalized weakness and dizziness. Mental health sequelae post covid, most subjects had insomnia (27%) and amnesia (27%) followed by anxiety (20%), depression (14%), and brain fogging (12%) (p-value 0.347). Conclusion: The majority of COVID-19 survivors achieved complete symptom resolution, with only 14% experiencing lingering symptoms. These findings contribute to our understanding of the diverse and complex manifestations of COVID-19 recovery but highlight the need for further research to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.