Search

Objectives: This study aimed to longitudinally follow self-reported symptoms of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and fatigue during the first year after hospitalization because of COVID-19. Design: The study was an observational longitudinal study. Methods and participants: Between July 2020, and February 2021, 211 patients aged ≥ 18 years, hospitalized ≥ 5 days at 5 hospitals in Region Västra Götaland, who had COVID-19, and were non-contagious (at study enrolment) were included in the baseline assessment. Of these, 168 (79.6%) patients completed mental health questionnaires at a 3-month follow-up, and 172 (83.1%) at a 12-month follow-up. A total of 120 (56.9%) participants who completed at least 1 questionnaire at both the 3- and 12-month follow-ups were analysed; the majority were male (n = 78, 65.0%). Results: There was an improvement in all patients from 3 to 12 months on the fatigue subscales “reduced activity” (p = 0.02) and “physical fatigue” (p = 0.04). No other significant mental health improvements were found. At 12 months, 34 (28.4%) were classified as having anxiety symptoms, 29 (24.1%) as having depression symptoms, and 40 (33.3%) had symptoms of probable post-traumatic stress disorder. Conclusions: Participants in the present study did not report full mental health recovery 1 year after hospitalization for COVID-19.

Abstract Background Although the symptomatology has been assessed in multiple studies among persons recovering from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), less is known regarding long-term general health and disability. We aimed to assess long-term self-reported disability in public employees after predominantly mild COVID-19 in comparison with individuals who had negative COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test results. Methods Public employees within Region Västra Götaland were offered tests to identify SARS-CoV-2 infection (n = 56,221) and were invited to complete an online survey that included the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule. Questionnaires were sent out between January 26 and March 5, 2021. A total of 14,222 (25.3%) employees responded, of which 10,194 (18%) were included (women n = 8749, 85.8%). Of these, 7185 (70.5%) participants had a negative PCR test result (controls). A total of 1425 (14%) had a positive PCR result and were categorized in the sub-acute phase (4–12 weeks post COVID-19), and 1584 (15.5%) had a positive PCR test and were categorized in the post COVID-19 phase (> 12 weeks). Results Fifty-two percent of controls rated disability of varying degrees, versus 73% and 64% of participants in the sub-acute and post COVID-19 phase, respectively. Being “emotionally affected” was the most frequently reported disability in the sub-acute phase, the post COVID-19 phase, as well as in controls. The proportion of participants reporting difficulties for 20–30 days was higher in the sub-acute phase than in the post COVID-19 phase (27.9% vs. 21.8%, p

Background: We aimed to investigate functional muscular power in the lower extremity in adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) and compare results with those of healthy persons. Secondarily, we set out to assess muscle power in relation to age, sex, and complexity of ACHD. Methods: Between 2013 and 2019, 1126 patients attended the ACHD Unit of Sahlgrenska University Hospital/Östra and performed a test battery to determine physical fitness. Of these patients, 559 who performed the Timed-Stands Test (TST)—which requires 10 stands from a chair at the maximal possible speed—were included in the study. Results: Patients with ACHD performed the TST slower than reference (14.6 s [12.0–18.0] vs. 11.7 s [9.8–14.3], p 65 years. Women with ACHD performed the TST more rapidly or according to reference in 21% of patients aged 18–39 years, 56% of patients aged 40–65 years, and 32% of patients aged >65 years. Men with ACHD performed the TST significantly faster than women with ACHD (p

BackgroundWe aimed to assess symptomatology post discharge from the hospital in patients with COVID-19 treated during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, and to follow care consumption and healthcare costs six months post discharge.MethodsThis study was a descriptive observational study over time. Data were retrieved from the Sahlgrenska University (SU) hospital registry for patients admitted to an SU hospital during March 2020 to August 2020. Of these, 1014 received a questionnaire approximately six weeks post discharge regarding symptoms. Data regarding care consumption were retrieved from the registry in the Region Västra Götaland for 529 (52.2%) patients who completed the questionnaire. Of these, 466 patients were included in the analysis of care consumption.ResultsThere was a reported decrease in mobility from admission to discharge in both men (p = 0.02) and women (p = 0.01). The costs of inpatient care amounted to a total of 9 601 459.20 Euro (EUR). Symptoms were reported in 436 (93.6%) patients post discharge, of which weight loss during COVID-19 was most common in both men (n = 220, 77.5%) and women (n = 107, 58.8%). During six-month follow-up, 409 (87%) patients consumed care. Of the registered visits, 868 (27.1%) were related to a COVID-19 diagnosis. The total sum of outpatient care (i.e. visits with a registered COVID-19 diagnosis) was 77 311.30 EUR.ConclusionsAt discharge from the hospital, there was a decrease in mobility. Most patients had remaining sequelae post discharge. At six months post discharge, nearly 90% of patients had consumed care, with approximately 20% related to COVID-19. This indicates a persisting need for rehabilitation post discharge from hospital in patients treated for COVID-19.

Background: Patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) now live longer; thus, there is a need to assess factors related to ageing in this group. We aimed to determine the incidence and risk of fractures in patients with CHD. Methods: Data of patients with CHD were retrieved from the National Swedish Patient Register (n = 83,084) and matched according to birth year and sex, with nearly nine controls per patient from the Total Population Register in Sweden (n = 719,447). CHD diagnoses were classified according to complexity, and fractures according to anatomical disposition. Results: In comparison with controls, lower incidence rate (IRs) per 10,000 person-years were found in male patients (7.59, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.92–8.31 vs. 9.29, 95% CI: 9.06–9.53) and female patients (5.73, 95% CI: 5.11–6.40 vs. 6.02, 95% CI: 5.83–6.23) aged 0–17 years with complex CHD. However, the IR of fractures for all patients with CHD was slightly higher than that of controls (7.42 vs. 7.06 per 10,000 person-years). Patients with CHD from the oldest age group (≥60 years) had a 21% increased risk of fractures in comparison with controls without CHD. Conclusion: We found that younger patients with complex CHD had a decreased risk of fractures compared with controls without CHD. In contrast, older patients with CHD showed a slightly increased risk of fractures. The increased risk of fractures, together with previous reports of decreased physical capacity, increasing age, and the sequent onset of osteoporosis, warrants close attention in the ageing population of patients with CHD.

Background: The number of adults with complex congenital heart disease (ACHD) is increasing and patients are living longer with the condition; therefore, there is a need to investigate lifestyle factors and assess the physical fitness of these patients and to prescribe exercise. We aimed to evaluate the effects of exercise, with or without supplemental oxygen, in patients with complex ACHD. Methods: Between August 2018 and December 2019, 35 patients were assessed and eight were included in the study. A randomized crossover design was used, and participants were randomized to start exercising with supplemental oxygen (OxyStart) or without (OxyEnd). Muscle function, maximal oxygen uptake (VO2peak), walking distance, physical activity level, patient-reported outcome measures, and blood parameters were assessed. Results: Four participants were randomized to the OxyStart group (n = 4) and four to the OxyEnd group (n = 4). No-one dropped out of the OxyStart group, but two patients dropped out of in the OxyEnd group. Exercise training resulted in improvements in VO2peak (Δ +1.9 ​ml/kg/min), three of four tests of muscle function, walking distance (Δ +97.5 ​m), and patient-reported outcome measures in participants who completed the study (n ​= ​6). No adverse events occurred during exercise. However, the participants showed diverse responses to oxygen supplementation. Conclusion: Patients with complex ACHD benefit from peripheral muscle function exercises. Exercise with supplemental oxygen appears to be safe for such patients but may not affect patients with differing ACHD etiology uniformly; therefore, further studies are required to investigate this.