Evaluation of Long Term Symptoms of COVID-19 in Patients of Shahid Mostafa Khomeini Hospital in the Second Six Months of 2021

After four years of the COVID-19 disease outbreak, despite the recovery of many patients, a significant number of them are still suffering from it and its complications. In this regard, many patients are struggling with its long-term effects and cannot return to normal life. These patients experience a wide range of life-disrupting disorders, which considers the importance of examining long-term symptoms and paying special attention to these patients.

This cross-sectional study was conducted in 1400 for three months on 280 COVID-19 patients of Shahid Mostafa Khomeini Hospital in Tehran, Iran. Those whose disease was confirmed by laboratory testing (RT-PCR positive). these patients were under observation from the onset time of infection until the end of quarantine. Long-term symptoms among discharged patients were collected and compared using a questionnaire containing demographic information and patients' statements. The data were analyzed with SPSS version 21 software and the results were reported.

45.7% of patients had at least one long-term symptom and 54.3% had more than one long-term symptom. The symptom of fatigue had the highest frequency (64.4%) and the lowest frequency belonged to diarrhea with 2.7%. Significantly (P<0.050), long-term symptoms were seen in women more than men, in old people more than young people, and in obese people more than thin people. The severity of the disease was directly related to the frequency of symptoms.

In general, it can be said that there are long complications in all patients. Since among demographic indicators, "obesity", "severity of illness" and "hospitalization" have been the most important factors in increasing the frequency of long-term symptoms, paying attention to these factors and considering possible solutions to prevent can lead to improving the quality of patient’s life and reduces the duration of long-term complications.