RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Recovery from COVID-19: a sprint or marathon? 6-month follow-up data from online long COVID-19 support group members
JF ERJ Open Research
JO erjor
FD European Respiratory Society
SP 00141-2021
DO 10.1183/23120541.00141-2021
VO 7
IS 2
A1 Anouk W. Vaes
A1 Yvonne M.J. Goërtz
A1 Maarten Van Herck
A1 Felipe V.C. Machado
A1 Roy Meys
A1 Jeannet M. Delbressine
A1 Sarah Houben-Wilke
A1 Swetlana Gaffron
A1 Dieter Maier
A1 Chris Burtin
A1 Rein Posthuma
A1 Nicole P.H. van Loon
A1 Frits M.E. Franssen
A1 Bita Hajian
A1 Sami O. Simons
A1 Job F.M. van Boven
A1 Frederikus A. Klok
A1 Bart Spaetgens
A1 Claire M.H. Pinxt
A1 Limmie Y.L. Liu
A1 Geertjan Wesseling
A1 Yvonne Spies
A1 Herman Vijlbrief
A1 Alex J. van ’t Hul
A1 Daisy J.A. Janssen
A1 Martijn A. Spruit
YR 2021
UL http://openres.ersjournals.com/content/7/2/00141-2021.abstract
AB 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.Patients who are members of online #longCOVID peer support groups may still experience persistent symptoms about 6 months after the onset of symptoms, which can affect work productivity, functional status and quality of life https://bit.ly/3vxPF2b