BMC Infectious Diseases (Mar 2021)

‘Long COVID’: persistent COVID-19 symptoms in survivors managed in Lagos State, Nigeria

  • Bodunrin Osikomaiya,
  • Olufemi Erinoso,
  • Kikelomo Ololade Wright,
  • Aina Olufemi Odusola,
  • Babafemi Thomas,
  • Oluwatosin Adeyemi,
  • Abimbola Bowale,
  • Olusola Adejumo,
  • Ayodeji Falana,
  • Ismail Abdus-salam,
  • Olusegun Ogboye,
  • Akin Osibogun,
  • Akin Abayomi

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-020-05716-x
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 21, no. 1
pp. 1 – 7

Abstract

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Abstract Background Coronavirus disease once thought to be a respiratory infection is now recognised as a multi-system disease affecting the respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, neurological, immune, and hematopoietic systems. An emerging body of evidence suggests the persistence of COVID-19 symptoms of varying patterns among some survivors. This study aimed to describe persistent symptoms in COVID-19 survivors and investigate possible risk factors for these persistent symptoms. Methods The study used a retrospective study design. The study population comprised of discharged COVID-19 patients. Demographic information, days since discharge, comorbidities, and persistent COVID-19 like symptoms were assessed in patients attending the COVID-19 outpatient clinic in Lagos State. Statistical analysis was done using STATA 15.0 software (StataCorp Texas) with significance placed at p-value 35 to ≤49 years (38.3%), and male (66.1%). More than one-third (40.9%) had persistent COVID-19 symptoms after discharge, and 19.7% had more than three persistent COVID-like symptoms. The most persistent COVID-like symptoms experienced were easy fatigability (12.8%), headaches (12.8%), and chest pain (9.8%). Symptomatic COVID-19 disease with moderate severity compared to mild severity was a predictor of persistent COVID-like symptoms after discharge (p < 0.05). Conclusion Findings from this study suggests that patients who recovered from COVID-19 disease may still experience COVID-19 like symptoms, particularly fatigue and headaches. Therefore, careful monitoring should be in place after discharge to help mitigate the effects of these symptoms and improve the quality of life of COVID-19 survivors.

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