Longitudinal Clinical Features of Post-COVID-19 Patients-Symptoms, Fatigue and Physical Function at 3-and 6-Month Follow-Up

Post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS) has been described as 'the pandemic after the pandemic' with more than 65 million people worldwide being affected. The enormous range of symptoms makes both diagnosis complex and treatment difficult. In a post-COVID rehabilitation outpatient clinic, 184 patients, mostly non-hospitalized, received a comprehensive, interdisciplinary diagnostic assessment with fixed follow-up appointments. At baseline, three in four patients reported more than 10 symptoms, the most frequent symptoms were fatigue (84.9%), decreased physical capacity (83.0%), tiredness (81.1%), poor concentration (73.6%), sleeping problems (66.7%) and shortness of breath (67.3%). Abnormalities were found in the mean values of scores for fatigue (FAS = 34.3), cognition (MoCA = 25.5), psychological alterations (anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder), limitation of lung function (CAT) and severity scores for PCS (PCFS, MCRS). Clinical abnormalities were found in elevated values of heart rate, breathing rate at rest, blood pressure and NT-proBNP levels. As the frequency of the described symptoms decreases only slowly but most often significantly over the course, it is important to monitor the patients over a longer period of time. Many of them suffer from an immense symptom burden, often without pre-existing clinical correlates. Our results show a clear association with objectifiable assessments and tests as well as pronounced symptoms.

Automated summary

Post-COVID-19 syndrome, also known as the pandemic after the pandemic, has affected over 65 million people worldwide. The wide range of symptoms makes diagnosis complex and treatment difficult. A comprehensive diagnostic assessment was conducted on 184 non-hospitalized patients in a post-COVID rehabilitation clinic, revealing that fatigue, decreased physical capacity, tiredness, poor concentration, sleeping problems, and shortness of breath were the most common symptoms. Abnormalities were found in various assessments and tests, indicating a clear association between objective measures and pronounced symptoms.