Research Information System
İnfectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, vol.3, no.1, pp.22-29, 2020 (Peer-Reviewed Journal)
Objective
Many observational studies have reported high morbidity and mortality associated with COVID-19 during hospitalisation. This study aimed to examine the long-term symptoms and related factors of patients hospitalised due to COVID-19.
Materials and Methods
Clinical and laboratory characteristics of 266 patients who were followed up in the hospital with the diagnosis of COVID-19 were recorded. The patients were followed for an average of 14 weeks after discharge. The discharged patients were surveyed for their symptoms by calling.
Results
On average, 14 weeks after being discharged, it was found that a least one symptom persisted in 27.4% (n =73) of 266 patients. The three most common symptoms after discharge were 38.3% (n = 28) cough, headache (36.9%, n = 27), shortness of breath (27.3%, n = 20), respectively. In multivariate analysis, it was found that symptoms persist more in patients with high CRP (C-reactive protein) and ferritin during hospitalisation (p: 0.03; p: 0.005, respectively).
Conclusion
After COVID-19, it was observed that complaints continued after discharge in a significant number of patients. During hospitalisation, high ferritin and CRP levels were found to be associated with the persistence of symptoms. It was considered that symptoms associated with COVID-19 persist more in those with a high inflammatory response.
Keywords: Covid-19, Inflammatory Response, SARS CoV-2, Post-COVID-19 syndrome, Persistent Symptoms.