The Persistent Symptoms and Decreased Quality of Life of COVID-19 Patients (A 3-month Follow-up after Discharge)

Most coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients are still experiencing persistent clinical symptoms even after being discharged from the hospital. Previous studies have reported the remaining symptoms in 29%–93% of patients. This condition can have a major impact on a patient’s ability to perform daily activities and have a deleterious effect on their quality of life (QoL). Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate persistent symptoms and QoL of COVID-19 patients 3 months after discharge from Dr. Kariadi Hospital Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia. Methods: Confirmed COVID-19 patients were enrolled in this prospective cohort study after discharge from Dr. Kariadi Hospital Semarang from March 1 to May 15, 2021. Telephone interviews were conducted each week in the first month, and every 2 weeks in the second and third months regarding persistent symptoms. EQ-5D-5L questionnaires were completed and evaluated every month for 3 months after hospital discharge. Results: Of the 104 patients enrolled, 55% were male, with a mean age of 48.96 years. The incidence of persistent symptoms in the first, second, and third months was 49%, 31.7%, and 25%, respectively. The most common persistent symptoms were fatigue, cough, shortness of breath, and nausea. The characteristics of the patients included being overweight/obese, having one or more comorbidities, having five or more symptoms classified as moderate COVID-19, and requiring supplemental oxygen during hospitalization. Based on the EQ-5D questionnaire, most patients reported worsening in the quality of their ability to perform usual activities, feelings of pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression. The total values of the EQ-5D and EQ-VAS indices were lower than those of the Indonesian general population, indicating a decrease in QoL. Conclusions: The patients developed persistent symptoms and decreased quality of life during the 3-month following hospital discharge. Keywords: persistent symptoms, EQ-5D-5L, QoL