Abstract
Introduction: One in ten people will develop symptoms of Long COVID (LC) following infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Despite widely reported symptomology, the impact upon quality of life (QoL) and functional status (FS) is not well documented. Accordingly, we conducted a cohort observation to determine the impact of LC on QoL and FS that also captured the lived experience.
Method: Fifty-six patients (n=41 female, mean age 51±10 years) with confirmed history of COVID-19 were recruited from LC clinics in the United Kingdom and completed a 16-week cohort observation (five face-to-face visits and bi-weekly telephone consultations). QoL was assessed via the EQ-5D-5L and FS via the post-COVID functional status scale (PCFS) and the six-minute walk test (6MWT). Symptom profile and lived experience was captured via self-report diaries and analysed via thematic analysis.
Results: QoL across all domains was 2.5±0.6 AU at baseline and unchanged at 16-weeks (2.4±0.9, P=0.12). PCFS was improved at 16-weeks (2.1 ±1.1 AU) when compared to baseline (2.7±0.4 AU, P=0.02) but highlighted impaired FS. 6MWT was 322±133 M at baseline and improved at 16 weeks (430±150 meters, P<0.01) but was lower than normative data for healthy age matched controls. Patients recorded 2,197 references to symptoms profile (66% coverage), highlighting broad and cyclical symptoms that impacted QoL (30% coverage) and physical and mental wellbeing.
Conclusion: LC patients exhibit severely impacted QoL and FS that demonstrates little change over 16 weeks. Research must inform treatment and support to address symptomology and restore QoL and FS.
Footnotes
Cite this article as Eur Respir J 2022; 60: Suppl. 66, 4429.
This article was presented at the 2022 ERS International Congress, in session “-”.
This is an ERS International Congress abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only).
- Copyright ©the authors 2022