Examining the health status of patients with COVID-19 hospitalized in Hajar(S) Shahrekord Medical Education Center after discharge

Abstract

Background and aims: The emergence of some medium—and long-term outcomes following the acute phase of the disease, known as "long COVID-19," poses a challenge to medical science. This study aimed to determine the health status of COVID-19 patients after discharge. Methods: This is a descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study. The research population included all COVID-19 patients hospitalized at Hajar Educational and Medical Center in Shahrekord over three months. The data collection tool was a questionnaire assessing the health status of patients six weeks after discharge. Data analysis was performed using SPSS23 software and descriptive and analytical statistical tests, including Fisher’s exact test and independent t-test. Results: The total number of hospitalized patients was 160. Among them, 21 patients had died, and 72 patients either did not respond to the phone call or provided unreliable information. Ultimately, data were collected from 67 patients. In examining the complications of COVID-19, 34.4% of the study samples reported weakness and fatigue, 13.4% cough, 8.9% dyspnea, and 1.4% skin complications. A significant correlation was observed between the gender variable with dyspnea and cough variable (P=0.001) and between the gender variable with weakness and lethargy variable (P=0.05). In the correlation analysis between the variables of hypertension, diabetes, lung diseases, overweight, brain diseases, and remdesivir drug injection, a significant relationship was observed with COVID complications. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic is not over, and many sufferers suffer from prolonged covid. Gender and underlying diseases are some of the most important underlying factors in the long-term COVID-19. Creating post-COVID care systems for these patients is highly needed and recommended.

Keywords

• long-covid
• health status
• underlying disease
• discharge