While the world battles against coronavirus, scientists have discovered that people hospitalized with COVID-19 infection can experience long term symptoms. These sets of symptoms include fatigue, confusion, breathlessness, and a general decline in the quality of life. One of the scientists on the research team is of Indian origin and the study has been published in the journal of Medical Virology.
The study also reveals that the patients in the Intensive care unit experience severe post-traumatic stress disorder. Manoj Sivan, Associate Clinical Professor, University of Leeds, UK, says, “COVID-19 is a new illness and we have very little information on longer-term problems in individuals after discharging from the hospital.”
Dr. Sivan further added to his statement, “The emerging evidence is that for some, the road to recovery may take months and it is vital specialist rehabilitation is on hand to support them. This COVID-19 research gives an important insight into patient needs, and that will help shape services in the community.”
For the course of the study, the research team examined 100 volunteers six to eight weeks after their COVID-19 recovery. Out of these, 32 people were under intensive care and the rest of them were treated in a normal ward. These patients were contacted by the research team and asked a couple of questions about the symptoms they experienced even after their recovery.
Over 60% of the patients complained of suffering from fatigue. This symptom was common even in ward patients and the degree of fatigue ranged from moderate to severe. However, 72% of the ICU COVID-19 patients reported fatigue after recovery, and out of these, over half of them described their fatigue to be severe.
The second common symptom encountered was that of breathlessness. According to researchers, breathlessness was not seen in patients while they were being treated for COVID-19. However, after recovery, the majority of the patients complained about it.
The third common symptom seen after recovery was neuropsychological. Almost 25% of the ward patients and 50% of the ICU COVID-19 patients experienced this category of symptoms. Researchers say, “PTSD symptoms are a well-recognized component of post-intensive care unit syndrome caused by a variety of factors including fear of dying, invasive treatment, pain, delirium, inability to communicate, weakness, immobility, sensory problems, and sleep deprivation.”
Researchers also claim that nearly 45.6% of ward patients and 68.8% of COVID-19 ICU patients experience a deteriorating quality of life after their discharge.