1. [Overview of long COVID in Brazil: a preliminary analysis of a survey to think about health policies].
- Author
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Batista KBC, Fernandez MV, Barberia LG, Silva ETD, Pedi VD, Pontes BMLM, Araujo G, Moreira RDS, Pedrosa M, Verotti MP, Henriques CMP, Florêncio AC, and Amorim MMR
- Subjects
- Humans, Brazil epidemiology, Adult, Female, Male, Middle Aged, Surveys and Questionnaires, SARS-CoV-2, Quality of Life, Young Adult, Aged, Socioeconomic Factors, Adolescent, COVID-19 epidemiology, COVID-19 prevention & control, Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome, Health Policy
- Abstract
Characterized by symptoms that remain or appear for the first time within three months of SARS-CoV-2 infection, long COVID can manifest itself in different ways, including in non-hospitalized or asymptomatic cases. Thus, this study offers an overview of long COVID in Brazil, especially of its diagnosis, symptoms, and challenges for new health management. Data from a study that investigated long COVID in people affected by COVID-19 were used. These original data stem from a survey with adult Brazilians (aged 18 years or older) who had COVID-19 that collected information from March 14 to April 14, 2022, by a questionnaire on social media. The questionnaire addressed sociodemographic characteristics, history of COVID-19 infections, vaccination against the disease, investigation of health status and quality of life before and after COVID-19, and search and access to treatment. Of the 1,728 respondents, 720 were considered eligible for analysis, of which 496 (69%) had long COVID. Individuals with long COVID reported clinical manifestations such as anxiety (80%), memory loss (78%), generalized pain (77%), lack of attention (75%), fatigue (73%), hair loss (71%), sleep changes (70%), mood swings (62%), malaise (60%), and joint pain (59%). Most sought health services during and after the acute phase of COVID-19 (94 and 80%, respectively), representing the need to structure the healthcare system for these patients.
- Published
- 2024
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