Impact of COVID-19 severity on health-related quality of life among Saudi adult patients

The impact of long COVID on health-related quality of life in patients 6 months after discharge with severe COVID-19

This study investigates the relationship between long COVID and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients discharged for 6 months. It included 192 patients with a history of severe COVID-19 and 192 patients with a history of non-severe COVID-19 patients that were selected through quota sampling methods from the Medical Care Monitoring Center (MCMC) of hospitals in Shiraz, Iran, in 2020. Phone-based interviews were conducted to collect data using the short form of the 12-item health-related quality of life (SF-12) questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, including mean (standard deviation) and frequency (percentage), were utilized. Statistical tests, such as the chi-squared test, independent samples t-test, Fisher's exact test, and multiple linear regression models were performed. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software version 24, with a significance level of 0.05. Among 384 patients, 79.95% were married, with a mean age of 53.95 years. The majority of patients in both groups were male (57.81% in the severe group and 51.04% in the non-severe group). Patients with severe COVID-19 had significantly lower quality of life scores compared to those with non-severe COVID-19 (p < 0.001, 34.45 [SD = 6.59] versus 39.64 [SD = 5.07]). Furthermore, multiple linear regression analysis indicated that severe COVID-19 inducts a significant negative effect on HRQOL in patients after adjustment of confounders (p < 0.001, B =  - 4.84). Patients with severe COVID-19 had lower HRQOL compared to those with a non-severe level. It is necessary to consider implementing policies aimed at providing social, psychological, or medical support to improve the HRQOL of patients with a history of severe COVID-19.

Evaluating the Predictors of Persistent Long COVID Symptoms and Their Severity in COVID-19 Survivors 1 Year After Infection

INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVE

As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic progressed, the virus was found to cause long-term health complications known as long COVID (LC). This study aimed to investigate LC symptom severity and the factors associated with the likelihood of persistence beyond 1 year among COVID-19 survivors in Saudi Arabia.

METHODS

This descriptive, cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted via convenience sampling between December 1, 2023, and March 1, 2024. In-person interviews were performed, and 845 individuals with persistent symptoms after acute COVID-19 were included.

RESULTS

Hair loss and memory impairment were the most reported symptoms. In predicting LC persistence beyond 12 months, women were found to have higher odds of being symptomatic than men, and individuals from moderate-to-high-income households were more likely to report persistent symptoms than those from low-income households. Each additional acute COVID-19 symptom increased the likelihood of persistent symptoms by 1.14 times. Reporting more symptoms in the first 6 months post-infection significantly reduced the odds of long-term symptoms by approximately 30%.

CONCLUSION

LC symptom severity varies among patients, and sociodemographic and clinical factors influence the likelihood of experiencing symptoms beyond 1 year. Understanding these factors can provide insights and help optimize management, leading to improved patient outcomes.

Synergistic fight against future pandemics: Lessons from previous pandemics

The history of pandemics spans centuries and has had a profound impact on human health, societies, and economies. Pandemics have caused fear, panic, and significant morbidity and mortality rates throughout history. From the Athenian Plague in 430 BC to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, infectious diseases have posed a continuous threat to global health systems. The transition from hunter-gatherer societies to agrarian communities, increased trade and interaction between humans and animals, urbanization, travel rates, and the impact of a growing human population have all contributed to the emergence and spread of infectious diseases. Climate change and changes in land use further affect the transmission of pathogens and the distribution of disease-carrying vectors. Lessons from previous pandemics include the importance of early diagnosis and response, global cooperation and collaboration, strengthened healthcare systems, preparedness planning, public health education and communication, research and development, and adaptability and flexibility in response strategies. These lessons emphasize the significance of timely identification, swift action, sharing information and resources, investing in healthcare infrastructure, preparedness planning, effective communication, research advancements, and the ability to adapt measures as pandemics evolve. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced the need for a collaborative and coordinated global response to future pandemics. Governments, international bodies, healthcare organizations, and individuals could learn from the lessons of the past and apply them effectively to combat and mitigate the impact of future outbreaks. By prioritizing all the recommendations stated, the world can synergistically protect public health and minimize the devastating consequences of pandemics.

Long-term impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on cardiorespiratory fitness: a meta-analysis

Background

Despite surviving Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), its long-term impact is of concern. Low cardiorespiratory fitness is a strong predictor of all-cause mortality, and likely affected by multisystem impairments following COVID-19 infection. Accumulating evidence has identified the impact of COVID-19 on cardiorespiratory fitness level. However, the findings have been controversial. Conclusive evidence is still needed.

Objectives

This review aimed to systematically summarize and synthesize whether the SARS-CoV-2 infection diminishes cardiorespiratory fitness in COVID-19 survivors.

Design

The study design was a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods

A search was carried out using PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, Embase and the Cochrane Library, together with reference lists (searching from their inception to January 2023). Observational studies investigating the impact of COVID-19 on outcomes relevant to cardiorespiratory fitness (i.e., peak oxygen uptake) were included. Weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to identify a pooled effect estimate. Use of a random effects model was considered as the main method. Grading of Recommendation Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach was employed to determine the certainty of evidence. This meta-analysis was registered with PROSPERO (registration number: CRD42023393108).

Results

Seven eligible studies (4 cross-sectional, 2 cohort, and 1 case-control studies) involving 4,773 participants were included in this meta-analysis. A pooled effect estimates showed that patients in the surviving COVID-19 group had a significant reduction in peak oxygen uptake when compared to their counterparts in the non-COVID-19 group (WMD -6.70, 95%CI -9.34 to -4.06, low certainty). A subgroup analysis by age found that COVID-19 survivors in the young- to middle-aged and middle- to older-aged subgroups had significant reductions in peak oxygen uptake when compared to their counterparts in the non-COVID-19 group (WMD -5.31, 95%CI -7.69 to -2.94, low certainty; WMD -15.63, 95%CI -28.50 to -2.75, very low certainty, respectively). Subgroup analyses by symptom found that patients with moderate to severe symptoms in the surviving COVID-19 group had significantly lower peak oxygen uptake than their counterparts in the non-COVID-19 group (WMD -15.63, 95%CI -28.50 to -2.75, very low certainty).

Conclusion

The current meta-analysis concluded that patients in the COVID-19 survivors had poorer cardiorespiratory fitness than their counterparts in the non-COVID-19 group, but there is considerable uncertainty of evidence. Poorer cardiorespiratory fitness is likely to be more pronounced in COVID-19 survivors who are getting older and had severe symptoms, but it is uncertain whether such finding has a valuable in clinical context.

Systematic Review Registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, CRD42023393108.