Viral infections are self-limiting. When the body ‘s immune system wins the battle, the body is expected to recover soon. However, many sufferers of 2019 coronavirus infection (COVID-19) experience persistent symptoms that can last for months.
These people are called “long haulers” with a number of symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, coughing and fatigue.
Now, researchers at the Wuhan Research Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Communicable Disease, China Academy of Medical Sciences in China have revealed that some patients who have undergone COVID-19 are experiencing symptoms that have stood the test of time. at six months.
In the study, published in An Lancet, the team aimed to test the long-term health effects of COVID-19. Further, they wanted to describe the long-term health effects of patients with hospital-discharged COVID-19.
The study
The study included more than 1,700 patients treated in Wuhan City, the main heart of the coronavirus pandemic when it first appeared in late 2019. It showed that 76 percent were suffering from coronary artery disease. at least one symptom months after discharge from hospital.
Initially, there were 2,469 patients, but some were excluded from the study. Approximately 33 patients died after discharge due to lung, heart and kidney disease complications, and 25 patients were returned to the hospital due to disease complications. One of these patients had to recover from severe pulmonary embolism due to deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Meanwhile, three patients developed ischemic stroke.
The researchers conducted an ambidirectional cohort study of patients with confirmed COVID-19 who were discharged from Jin Yin-tan Hospital between January 7, 2020, and May 29, 2020. They interviewed patients using a series of questionnaires for symptom assessment and health-related quality of life. Patients also underwent physical examinations, a 6-min walking test, and blood tests.
Follow-up work took place between 16 June 2020, and 3 September 2020.
The findings of the study show that even those who survived COVID-19 could have lasting health effects. Approximately 73 percent of patients reported at least one symptom at follow-up and a higher percentage was observed in women. Approximately 63 percent of respondents had fatigue or muscle weakness, 26 percent had sleep problems, and 23 percent had anxiety and depression.
Also, patients with more severe disease tended to follow lung damage as seen on X-rays. They had worse lung transmission abilities and abnormal chest images.
Notably, 13 percent of patients who did not appear to have a severe renal injury in the hospital showed symptoms of renal abuse.
The findings of the study showed that many patients are still living with some of the effects of the virus after recovering from it. These symptoms can interfere with daily activity and can adversely affect a person’s quality of life.
To our knowledge, this is the largest cohort study with the longest time assessing the health impact of discharged adult patients recovering from COVID-19, ”the reporters noted. research in mind.
The researchers noted the need for more follow-up studies not only in China but in other countries that have reported cases of COVID-19.
We found that muscle or muscle weakness, sleep problems, and anxiety or depression were common, even at 6 months after the onset of the symptom. This is consistent with data from long-term SARS follow-up studies, ”they concluded.
The researchers noted that the results of the study support that those with severe disease need post-discharge care since they are experiencing more persistent symptoms.
Longer follow-up studies in larger populations are needed to understand the full spectrum of health outcomes from COVID-19, ”it was suggested.
COVID-19 global tax
The coronavirus infection has now reached 191 countries and regions worldwide. The global case tax has risen to 91.77 million. The death toll has reached 1.96 million, and the survivors have reached 50.76 million.
The United States reports the highest number of COVID-19 cases, with more than 22.86 million cases and more than 381,000 deaths. Other countries with a high number of cases include India, with more than 10.49 million cases, Brazil, with 8.19 million cases, Russia, with 3.43 million cases, and the United Kingdom, with 3.17 million cases, among others other.
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