gms | German Medical Science

Background: The perceived quality of life in the medium term after suffering from COVID-19 has been evaluated only in hospitalized patients [1]. We consider it necessary to investigate patients that have suffered minor or moderate symptoms and that were not hospitalized.

Objectives: Analyze how various severities of COVID-19 have influenced the quality of life in patients post 6 months exposure.

Design and methods: Prospective observational design. Inclusion criteria:

1.

patients over 50 years old;

2.

positive PCR;

3.

meet criteria for diagnosis and recovery of COVID-19 according to the WHO.

A descriptive and correlational statistical analysis was carried out between the different variables. The study has the authorization of the Research Ethics Committee.

An interview was performed 6 months after recovery, in which data related to the disease, its symptoms and quality of life were collected using the clinical risk group, prior to covid-19 and the EuroQol-5D scale questionary (EQ-5D / EQ-VAS) [2].

Results: 223 patients were included (133 women, 59.6%). The mean age was 57 ± 17.96 years; age range 18-99: 13.5% were institutionalized; 33.6% polymedicated and 14.8% presented chronic pathology. 7.6% required hospital admission for covid19, 71.3% had moderate symptoms without admission and 21.1% mild symptoms. The mean post-covid quality of life was significant for the group with moderate symptoms (p = 0.044).

Conclusions: The assessment in the quality of life after 6 months of covid is superior for patients with moderate symptoms, requiring long-term research in patients with severe symptoms.

Conflict of interest: All authors declare to have not any kind of conflict of interest concerning financial support, relationships or any other circumstances.

Funding: This work was supported by the Ministry of Health of the Regional Government of Castilla y León, Spain [GRS COVID 40/B/20].