Abstract
Background It remains unknown whether and to what extent members of online long COVID-19 peer support groups remain symptomatic and limited over time. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate symptoms in members of online long COVID-19 peer support groups up to 6 months after the onset of 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-19 peer support groups.
Results Data of 239 patients with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis (83% women; median (IQR) age: 50 (39–56) years) were analysed. During the infection, a median (IQR) 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%), self-reported good health (9.2% versus 16.7%), functional status (Post COVID-19 Functional Status scale: 2.4 (0.9) versus 2.2 (0.8)) 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-19 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.
Footnotes
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Conflict of interest: Dr. Vaes has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Goertz has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Van Herck has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Machado has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Meys has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Delbressine has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Houben-Wilke has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Gaffron has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: D. Maier reports Biomax provides data management and analysis services to CIRO.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Burtin has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Posthuma has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Van Loon has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Franssen reports grants and personal fees from AstraZeneca, personal fees from Boehringer Ingelheim, personal fees from Chiesi, personal fees from GSK, personal fees from TEVA, outside the submitted work; .
Conflict of interest: Dr. Hajian has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Simons reports personal fees from AstraZeneca, grants from GSK, outside the submitted work.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Van Boven has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Klok reports grants from Bayer, grants from Bristol Meyer Squibb, grants from Boehringer-Ingelheim, grants from MSD, grants from Daiichi-Sankyo, grants from Actelion, grants from the Dutch thrombosis association, grants from the Dutch Heart foundation, grants from the Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development, outside the submitted work.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Spaetgens has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Pinxt has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Liu has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Wesseling has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Spies has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Vijlbrief has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Van't Hul has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Janssen reports personal fees from AstraZeneca, personal fees from Boehringer-Ingelheim, personal fees from Novartis, outside the submitted work.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Spruit reports grants from Lung Foundation Netherlands, grants from Stichting Astma Bestrijding, grants and personal fees from AstraZeneca, grants and personal fees from Boehringer Ingelheim, outside the submitted work.
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- Received March 3, 2021.
- Accepted March 9, 2021.
- Copyright ©The authors 2021
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