Persistent Symptoms in Patients Recovering From COVID-19 in Denmark. (29th January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Leth, Steffen; Gunst, Jesper Damsgaard; Mathiasen, Victor; Hansen, Kristoffer; Søgaard, Ole; Østergaard, Lars; Jensen-Fangel, Søren; Storgaard, Merete; Agergaard, Jane
• Is Part Of: Open forum infectious diseases. Volume 8:Number 4(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-01-29
• Subjects: COVID-19 -- post-COVID-19 -- SARS-CoV-2; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Medical microbiology -- Periodicals; Infection -- Periodicals; 616.9
• DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofab042
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2328-8957

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Although persistent symptoms after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are emerging as a major complication to the infection, data on the diversity and duration of symptoms are needed. Methods: Patients aged ≥18 years with a positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 who were hospitalized at the Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark, in the period from March 11 to May 15 were offered follow-up after hospitalization. On admission, a comprehensive symptom and medical history was collected, including demographic characteristics, duration of symptoms, comorbidities, and concomitant medications. At discharge, patients were offered follow-up consultations—either by telephone or at an in-person visit—at 6 and 12 weeks at our post-COVID-19 outpatient clinic to assess whether symptoms present at admission had resolved. Results: During the inclusion period, 71 patients were admitted with COVID-19. Of these, 10 patients died, 3 were transferred to another region, 4 declined to participate, and 5 were lost to follow-up before the 12-week evaluation. Thus, 49 patients were included. Overall, 96% reported 1 or more persisting symptoms at 12-week follow-up. The main symptoms were fatigue, dyspnea, cough, chemosensory dysfunction, and headache. Conclusions: A wide range of persistent symptoms in patients recovering from COVID-19 were present 12 weeks after hospitalization, calling for larger descriptive studies and interdisciplinary research collaborations.