Long-COVID Syndrome? A Study on the Persistence of Neurological, Psychological and Physiological Symptoms

Graziella Orrù; Davide Bertelloni; Francesca Diolaiuti; Federico Mucci; Mariagrazia Di Giuseppe; Marco Biella; Angelo Gemignani; Rebecca Ciacchini; Ciro Conversano

doi:10.3390/healthcare9050575

Healthcare (May 2021)

Long-COVID Syndrome? A Study on the Persistence of Neurological, Psychological and Physiological Symptoms

Graziella Orrù,
Davide Bertelloni,
Francesca Diolaiuti,
Federico Mucci,
Mariagrazia Di Giuseppe,
Marco Biella,
Angelo Gemignani,
Rebecca Ciacchini,
Ciro Conversano

Affiliations

Graziella Orrù: Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Savi, 10, 56126 Pisa, Italy
Davide Bertelloni: Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Savi, 10, 56126 Pisa, Italy
Francesca Diolaiuti: Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Savi, 10, 56126 Pisa, Italy
Federico Mucci: Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
Mariagrazia Di Giuseppe: Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Savi, 10, 56126 Pisa, Italy
Marco Biella: Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Savi, 10, 56126 Pisa, Italy
Angelo Gemignani: Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Savi, 10, 56126 Pisa, Italy
Rebecca Ciacchini: Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Savi, 10, 56126 Pisa, Italy
Ciro Conversano: Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Savi, 10, 56126 Pisa, Italy

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare9050575
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 9, no. 5
p. 575

Abstract

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Background: Emerging aspects of the Covid-19 clinical presentation are its long-term effects, which are characteristic of the so-called “long COVID”. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of physical, psychological, and sleep disturbances and the quality of life in the general population during the ongoing pandemic. Methods: This study, based on an online survey, collected demographic data, information related to COVID-19, sleep disturbances, and quality of life data from 507 individuals. The level of sleep disturbances and quality of life was assessed through the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and the EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D), respectively. Results: In total, 507 individuals (M = 91 and F = 416 women) completed the online survey. The main symptoms associated with “long COVID” were headache, fatigue, muscle aches/myalgia, articular pains, cognitive impairment, loss of concentration, and loss of smell. Additionally, the subjects showed significant levels of insomnia (p p < 0.05). Conclusions: The results of the study appear in line with recent publications, but uncertainty regarding the definition and specific features of “long COVID” remains. Further studies are needed in order to better define the clinical presentation of the “long COVID” condition and related targeted treatments.

Published in Healthcare

ISSN: 2227-9032 (Online)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Medicine
Website: http://www.mdpi.com/journal/healthcare

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Abstract

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