Six months after hospitalization with COVID-19, 76% of patients report symptoms

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More than three-quarters of patients with COVID-19 still have at least one persistent symptom, most often fatigue and muscle weakness, six months after symptoms start, a new cohort study published in The Lancet medical journal found on Friday.
The study looked at the long-term effects of COVID-19 on 1,733 hospital patients in Wuhan, China, which was the disease’s first epicenter.

During the study, all patients underwent face-to-face interviews to assess their symptoms and health-related quality of life, as well as physical exams, lab tests, and a six-minute walk test. to assess patient endurance levels.

In addition, 390 patients underwent other tests, including an assessment of lung function, and 94 patients whose blood antibody levels were recorded at the height of infection in another trial have received a follow-up test.

It found that of the 76% of patients who experienced at least one continuous symptom, 63% experienced fatigue or muscle weakness, 26% had trouble sleeping, 23% reported anxiety or depression. .

The study also found that patients who had been critically ill while in hospital were more likely to have impaired lung function and abnormalities detected on chest imaging six months later, a possible indication of permanent organ damage.

According to the data, 56% of patients who required intubation experienced impaired oxygen flow from their lungs to the bloodstream, and 29% of previously intubated patients struggled with the six-minute walk test. .

In addition, 94 patients whose immune response was tested at the peak of their infection saw the levels of neutralizing antibodies in their blood drop by 52.5%, raising concerns that reinfection might not only be possible by mutation of the viral strain, but that patients could also be re-infected. with the same tension they had overcome before.

The study also found that kidney problems can also occur after infection with COVID-19, with 13% of patients with normal kidney function during hospitalization, seeing reduced kidney function six months later.

“Because COVID-19 is such a new disease, we are only beginning to understand some of its long-term effects on the health of patients,” said Professor Bin Cao, National Center for Respiratory Medicine, Hospital of China-Japan friendship and the capital. Medical School.

“Our analysis indicates that most patients continue to live with at least some of the effects of the virus after discharge from hospital, and highlights the need for post-discharge care, especially for those with severe infections. “said Professor Cao.

“Our work also highlights the importance of conducting longer follow-up studies in larger populations in order to understand the full spectrum of effects COVID-19 can have on people,” he added.



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