The burden of post-COVID-19 syndrome and its impact on health service planning: a population-based cohort study

Release date: July 12, 2021

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0254523

Commentary

The long-term consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection are becoming an important burden. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of impaired health and physical and mental health symptoms in individuals at least 6 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection and to characterize health care utilization.

As a result, symptoms were present in 385 participants at diagnosis, and 81 were hospitalized; at 6-8 months, 111 reported never fully recovered, 233 participants reported symptoms of fatigue, 96 had grade 1 dyspnea, and 111 had a DASS-21 score indicating symptoms of depression. A total of 170 participants (40%) reported symptoms of depression.

One hundred and seventy individuals underwent post-acute illness COVID-19 related consultations, and 10% of individuals initially admitted were readmitted. Individuals who had not fully recovered or were suffering from fatigue, dyspnea, or depression were more likely to seek further medical attention. However, one-third of individuals who had not fully recovered did not seek further care.