PREVALENCE, PROFILE AND DETERMINANTS OF POST-COVID SYNDROME AMONG PATIENTS RECOVERED FROM COVID-19 IN BANGALORE, SOUTH INDIA

Introduction: Covid 19 has caused morbidity and mortality at an unprecedented scale globally. Primarily affecting respiratory system though affects all systems of the body. Even after recovery, patient experience widespread complications. Studies focusing on Post covid syndrome manifesting after 12 weeks after recovery are sparse. Hence we undertook his study, to aid in better management of post covid sequelae.

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence, profile and factors associated with Post Covid syndrome among patients recovered from Covid 19.

Methodology: A cross sectional study was done in a tertiary care center in Bangalore. All patients who got admitted for Covid 19 and discharged > 12 weeks back from the hospital were included for the study. By simple random sampling, a total of 180 study subjects were interviewed telephonically. Information regarding socio-demography, co-morbidity, covid status - severity, duration of hospitalization, vaccination, treatment, presence of post covid symptoms - profile etc., was collected.

Results: Among 180 post covid individuals interviewed 63.9% were males, 22.2% were in the age group of 41-50 years and 55% of them had atleast one co-morbidity. Prevalence of Post-Covid syndrome was 72.8%. Most common symptom being fatigue, seen in 62% followed by hair fall and sleep disturbance seen in 45% and 24% respectively. There was statistically significant association between the presence of Post-Covid sydrome and age, gender, presence of co-morbidity, duration of hospitalization and use of anticoagulant for treatment of covid.

Conclusion: Prevalence of Post-Covid syndrome is high and its profile includes fatigue, sleep disturbance and musculoskeletal pain. These were significantly high in specific groups. Further research is needed to better understand post covid sequelae as the spectrum of Post-Covid syndrome is diverse and wide.