Abstract
AIM: Some of the patients with COVID-19 disease have persistent symptoms
and there is limited information about the long-term health consequences
of those who have recovered. The aim of this study is to investigate
persistent symptoms of health care workers after COVID-19 disease and
the relationship with demographic and clinical characteristics of the
patients. METHOD: Healthcare workers who had symptomatic COVID-19
disease proven by RT-PCR and were diagnosed at least 12 weeks ago were
included in the study. Demographic characteristics, comorbidities,
symptoms at time of diagnosis and symptoms that persisted more than 3
weeks were examined in detail with a conducted questionnaire. RESULTS:
Of 121 patients included in the study, the mean age was 33.5 (22-59) and
the mean time since participants were diagnosed with COVID-19 disease
was 30.3 weeks (12.7-56.9). 92% (n=112) of the participants were
followed up as outpatients. 63.6% (n=77) of our patients had symptoms
lasting more than 3 weeks and the most common symptom were fatigue ,
loss of smell and attention deficit/concentration disorder. 19 of 77
patients (24.6%) stated that their persistent symptoms lasted longer
than 24 weeks, with the most common symptoms being loss of smell.
CONCLUSION: All these findings show that even in young patients with
mild and moderate COVID-19 infection, post-COVID symptoms are at a rate
that will affect their quality of life and health services should be
planned for the rehabilitation of these patients. WHAT’S KNOWN? The
initial symptoms and clinical course of COVID-19 are well known, but
information about the long-term follow-up post-COVİD symptoms,
especially in mild and moderate patients, is limited. WHAT’S NEW? Our
study contributes to the literature on the frequency of long-term
symptoms at 3 months and 6 months in most young patients with mild
COVID-19.It also provides data on the situation of post-COVID syndrome
in Turkey.