TABLE 1.
Symptoms and quality of life in follow‐up stratified by oxygen requirement during COVID‐19
| 1 month | 3 month (n = 134) | ≥6 month (n = 128) | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ordinal scale ≤3, | Ordinal scale ≥4, | Ordinal scale ≤3 | Ordinal scale ≥4 | Ordinal scale ≤3 | Ordinal scale ≥4 | |||||||||
| n = 139 | n = 78 | n = 61 | p‐value** | n = 134 | n = 75 | n = 59 | p‐value** | n = 128 | n = 71 | n = 57 | p‐value** | H‐statistic | p‐value* | |
| Cumulative symptoms | ||||||||||||||
| Subjective fever | 6 (4.3) | 4 (5.1) | 2 (3.2) | 0.6 | 2 (1.4) | 1 (1.3) | 1 (1.7) | 1 | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | ‐ | 0.38 | 0.82 |
| Appetite loss | 24 (17.2) | 10 (12.8) | 20 (32.7) | <0.01 | 17 (12.6) | 7 (9.3) | 10 (16.9) | 0.20 | 7 (5.4) | 3 (4.2) | 4 (7) | 0.69 | 2.8 | 0.24 |
| Anosmia/Parosmia | 12 (8.6) | 8 (10.2) | 4 (6.5) | 0.55 | 3 (2.2)) | 1 (1.3) | 2 (3.3) | 0.58 | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | ‐ | 1.6 | 0.44 |
| Chest tightness | 12 (8.6) | 2 (2.5) | 10 (16.4) | <0.01 | 3 (2.2) | 0 (0) | 3 (5) | 0.08 | 1 (0) | 0 (0) | 1 (1.7) | 0.44 | 1.6 | 0.44 |
| Palpitations | 8 (5.7) | 4 (5.1) | 4 (6.5) | 0.73 | 2 (1.4) | 1 (.3) | 1 (1.7) | 1 | 1 (1) | 0 (0) | 1 (1.7) | 0.44 | 0.58 | 0.74 |
| Alopecia | 10 (7.1) | 6 (7.7) | 4 (6.5) | 1 | 9 (6.7) | 3 (3.9) | 6 (10) | 0.18 | 6 (4.4) | 2 (2.8) | 4 (7) | 0.40 | 0.13 | 0.93 |
| Skin rash | 4 (2.8) | 1 (1.3) | 3 (4.9) | 0.31 | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | ‐ | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | ‐ | ‐ | ‐ |
| Impaired memory | 9 (6.4) | 2 (2.5) | 7 (11.4) | 0.04 | 4 (2.9) | 2 (2.7) | 2 (3.3) | 1 | 2 (1.5) | 0 (0) | 2 (3.5) | 0.19 | 0.51 | 0.77 |
| Impaired concentration | 9 (6.4) | 2 (2.5) | 7 (11.4) | 0.04 | 3 (2.2) | 1 (1.3) | 2 (3.3) | 0.58 | 3 (2.3) | 1 (1.4) | 2 (3.5) | 0.58 | 0.57 | 0.74 |
| Joint pain | 12 (8.6) | 4 (5.1) | 8 (13.1) | 0.12 | 10 (7.4) | 4 (5.3) | 6 (10) | 0.33 | 3 (2.3) | 1 (1.4) | 2 (3.5) | 0.58 | 0.87 | 0.644 |
| Muscle pain | 35 (25.1) | 14 (17.9) | 21 (34.4) | 0.03 | 10 (7.4) | 3 (3.9) | 7 (11.8) | 0.10 | 3 (2.3) | 1 (1.4) | 2 (3.5) | 0.58 | 11 | 0.002 |
| Disturbed sleep | 22 (15.8) | 8 (10.2) | 14 (22.9) | 0.059 | 12 (8.9) | 4 (5.3) | 8 (13.5) | 0.12 | 9 (7) | 1 (1.4) | 8 (14) | 0.01 | 1.73 | 0.42 |
| Bleeding | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | ‐ | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | ‐ | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | ‐ | ‐ | ‐ |
| Sore throat | 14 (10) | 8 (10.2) | 6 (9.8) | 0.059 | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | ‐ | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | ‐ | ‐ | ‐ |
| Nausea | 9 (6.4) | 5 (6.4) | 4 (6.5) | 1 | 3 (2.2) | 1 (1.3) | 2 (3.3) | 0.58 | 3 (2.2) | 1 (1.4) | 2 (3.5) | 0.58 | 0.57 | 0.74 |
| Gastritis | 10 (7.1) | 3 (3.8) | 7 (11.4) | 0.1 | 9 (6.7) | 2 (2.7) | 7 (11.8) | 0.04 | 6 (4.4) | 2 (2.8) | 4 (7) | 0.40 | 0.13 | 0.93 |
| Dizziness | 6 (4.3) | 3 (3.8) | 3 (4.9) | 1 | 2 (1.4) | 1 (1.3) | 1 (1.7) | 1 | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | ‐ | 0.38 | 0.82 |
| Fatigue | 45 (32.3) | 10 (12.8) | 35 (57.3) | <0.01 | 10 (7.4) | 2 (2.7) | 8 (13.5) | 0.02 | 4 (2.9) | 0 (0) | 4 (7) | 0.03 | 20 | 0.0001 |
| Syncope | 3 (2.1) | 1 (1.3) | 3 (4.9) | 0.31 | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | ‐ | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | ‐ | ‐ | ‐ |
| Loss of libido | 10 (7.1) | 5 (6.4) | 5 (81) | 0.74 | 6 (4.5) | 3 (3.9) | 3 (5) | 1 | 3 (2.2) | 1 (1.4) | 2 (3.5) | 0.58 | 0.47 | 0.78 |
| Asymptomatic | 87 (62.5) | 61 (78.2) | 26 (42.6) | <0.01 | 114 (85) | 65 (86.6) | 49 (83) | 0.62 | 118 (92) | 68 (95.8) | 50 (87.7) | 0.47 | 19 | 0.0008 |
| EQ‐5D‐5L scores | ||||||||||||||
| Motility | ||||||||||||||
| No problems in walking | 104 (75) | 66 (84.6) | 38 (62.3) | <0.01 | 120 (90) | 71 (94.6) | 49 (83) | 0.04 | 119 (93) | 68 (95.8) | 51 (89.5) | 0.18 | 7.53 | 0.023 |
| Slight problems in walking | 31 (22) | 11 (14.1) | 20 (32.9) | 0.01 | 4 (3) | 2 (2.7) | 2 (3.3) | 1 | 3 (2) | 1 (1.4) | 2 (3.5) | 0.58 | 10 | 0.004 |
| Moderate problems in walking | 3 (2) | 1 (1.3) | 2 (3.2) | 0.58 | 10 (7) | 2 (2.7) | 8 (13.6) | 0.02 | 6 (4.4) | 2 (2.8) | 4 (7) | 0.40 | 0.57 | 0.75 |
| Severe problems in walking | 1 (1) | 0 (0) | 1 (1.6) | 0.43 | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | ‐ | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | ‐ | 0.01 | 0.99 |
| Confined to bed | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | ‐ | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | ‐ | ‐ | ‐ | |
| Self‐care | ||||||||||||||
| No problems with self‐care | 111 (80) | 67 (85.9) | 44 (72.2) | 0.06 | 127 (95) | 72 (96) | 55 (93.4) | 0.69 | 125 (98) | 71 (100) | 54 (94.8) | 0.08 | 7.4 | 0.024 |
| Slight problems with self‐care | 24 (17) | 10 (12.8) | 14 (22.9) | 0.17 | 3 (2) | 1 (1.3) | 2 (3.3) | 0.58 | 2 (1.4) | 0 (0) | 2 (3.5) | 0.19 | 6.4 | 0.04 |
| Moderate problems with self‐care | 4 (3) | 1 (1.3) | 3 (4.9) | 0.31 | 4 (3) | 2 (2.7) | 2 (3.3) | 1 | 1 (1) | 0 (0) | 1 (1.7) | 0.44 | 0.12 | 0.94 |
| Severe problems in bathing or dressing | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | ‐ | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | ‐ | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | ‐ | ‐ | ‐ |
| Unable to bathe or dress | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | ‐ | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | ‐ | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | ‐ | ‐ | ‐ |
| Usual activities (e.g., work, study, household work, family or leisure activities) | ||||||||||||||
| No problems in performing usual activities | 95 (68) | 62 (79.5) | 29 (52.5) | <0.01 | 117 (87) | 69 (92) | 48 (81.3) | 0.07 | 120 (93) | 71 (100) | 49 (86) | <0.01 | 14 | 0.001 |
| Slight problems in performing usual activities | 28 (20) | 10 (12.8) | 18 (29.5) | 0.02 | 8 (6) | 3 (4) | 5 (8.5) | 0.29 | 4 (3.1) | 0 (0) | 4 (7) | 4 (2.9) | 6.7 | 0.03 |
| Moderate problems in performing usual activities | 14 (10) | 5 (6.4) | 9 (14.8) | 0.15 | 8 (6) | 3 (4) | 5 (8.5) | 0.29 | 4 (3.1) | 0 (0) | 4 (7) | 4 (2.9) | 0.97 | 0.67 |
| Severe problems in performing usual activities | 2 (2) | 1 (1.3) | 2 (3.2) | 0.58 | 1 (1) | 0 (0) | 1 (1.7) | 0.44 | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | ‐ | 0.04 | 0.97 |
| Unable to perform my usual activities | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | ‐ | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | ‐ | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | ‐ | ‐ | ‐ |
| Pain/Discomfort | ||||||||||||||
| No pain or discomfort | 118 (85) | 71 (91) | 47 (77.1) | 0.03 | 125 (93) | 71 (94.6) | 54 (91.6) | 0.50 | 121 (94) | 69 (97.2) | 52 (91.3) | 0.24 | 2.2 | 0.32 |
| Slight pain or discomfort | 16 (11) | 6 (7.7) | 10 (16.4) | 0.17 | 5 (4) | 2 (2.7) | 3 (5.1) | 0.65 | 6 (4.4) | 2 (2.8) | 4 (7) | 0.40 | 1.6 | 0.43 |
| Moderate pain or discomfort | 4 (3) | 1 (1.3) | 3 (4.9) | 0.31 | 4 (3) | 2 (2.7) | 2 (3.3) | 1 | 1 (1) | 0 (0) | 1 (1.7) | 0.44 | 0.12 | 0.94 |
| Severe pain or discomfort | 1 (1) | 0 (0) | 1 (1.6) | ‐ | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | ‐ | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | ‐ | 0.01 | 0.99 |
| Extreme pain or discomfort | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | ‐ | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | ‐ | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | ‐ | ‐ | ‐ |
| Anxiety/Depression | ||||||||||||||
| Not anxious or depressed | 65 (47) | 47 (60.3) | 18 (29.5) | <0.01 | 89 (66) | 57 (76) | 32 (54.2) | 0.01 | 84 (65) | 54 (76.1) | 30 (52.7) | <0.01 | 10 | 0.006 |
| Slightly anxious or depressed | 51 (37) | 21 (26.9) | 30 (49.2) | <0.01 | 22 (16) | 8 (10.7) | 14 (23.7) | 0.06 | 18 (14) | 7 (9.9) | 11 (19.3) | 0.20 | 12 | 0.001 |
| Moderately anxious or depressed | 22 (15) | 10 (12.8) | 12 (19.7) | 0.35 | 22 (17) | 10 (13.3) | 12 (20.4) | 0.34 | 25 (20) | 10 (14) | 15 (26.3) | 0.07 | 1.1 | 0.57 |
| Severely anxious or depressed | 1 (1) | 0 (0) | 1 (1.6) | 0.43 | 1 (1) | 0 (0) | 1 (1.7) | 0.44 | 1 (1) | 0 (0) | 1 (1.7) | 0.44 | 0.0001 | 0.99 |
| Extremely anxious or depressed | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | ‐ | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | ‐ | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | ‐ | ‐ | ‐ |
| EQVAS score* change from pre‐COVID‐19 | 28.6 (13) | 10.4 (12.5) | 7.5 (12.0) | 111 | 0.001 | |||||||||
| mMRC scoring for breathlessness | ||||||||||||||
| 0 | 135 (97) | 77 (98.7) | 58 (95.1) | 0.31 | 127 (94) | 73 (97.3) | 53 (89.8) | 0.13 | 124 (97) | 70 (98.6) | 54 (94.8) | 0.35 | 0.1 | 0.9 |
| 1 | 4 (3) | 1 (1.3) | 3 (4.9) | 0.31 | 7 (5) | 2 (2.7) | 5 (8.5) | 0.23 | 3 (2) | 1 (1.4) | 2 (3.5) | 0.58 | 0.24 | 0.88 |
| 2 | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | ‐ | 1 (1) | 0 (0) | 1 (1.7) | 0.44 | 1 (1) | 0 (0) | 1 (1.7) | 0.44 | 0.01 | 0.99 |
| 3 | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | ‐ | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | ‐ | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | ‐ | ‐ | ‐ |
| 4 | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | ‐ | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | ‐ | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | ‐ | ‐ | ‐ |
Note: Data are expressed as numbers (percentage), mean (standard deviation).
Abbreviations: EQ5D5L, EuroQoL 5 dimension score; EQVAS, EuroQoL visual analogue score which ranged from 0 (worst health) to 100 (best health); mMRC, modified medical research for dyspnea scale (0 = no complaint of breathlessness, 1 = difficulty in breathing when running or upstairs, 2 = difficulty in breathing while walking for longer time, 3 = has to stop to breath after waking even few steps, 4 = too breathless to leave house).
*Statistical significance (p‐value < 0.05) for all parameters was calculated from Kruskal–Wallis test (H‐statistic) except for EQVAS scale where analysis of variance (K‐statistic) test was used.
**p‐value was calculated by Fisher test. Ordinal scale of 3 means no oxygen requirement and above 3 implies oxygen need during COVID‐19 admission.