ABSTRACT
Introduction: Though there is limited information on late sequelae of COVID-19, reports of persistent symptoms in persons who recovered from COVID-19 illness have emerged. The most frequently reported symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath, cough. Objectives: 1.To identify the persistence or development of various symptoms among discharged COVID-19 patients 2.To study the outcome of COVID-19 infection after one month of discharge 3.To assess the difference in the quality of life pre and post COVID-19 status of study participants by using EuroQol Visual Analogue scale. Material & Methods: A Longitudinal study was carried out among all discharged confirmed COVID-19 patients aged more than 18 years and above in 1st December 2020 to 31st December 2020. 50% of patients discharged in December 2020 were selected by simple random sampling method. Status of present symptoms at the time of discharge and after one month of discharge were taken through telephonic interview. Results: COVID-19patients had persistent symptoms like fatigue, cough, & anosmia respectively at the time of discharge. 7 (4.6%) patients found dead at the time follow up after one month. According to EQ-VAS, 79 (52.3%) COVID-19 patients perceived improved quality of life at the time of follow up one month after discharge as compare to the time of discharge. Conclusion: There is significant improvement in quality of life seen among the patients at the time of follow up than at the time of discharge. At the time of follow up, 4.6% deaths observed and some patients had persistent symptoms like fatigue, dyspnea.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: This study intended to determine significant factors that influence the health-related quality of life ("HRQoL"; EuroQol 5 Dimension health-related quality of life (EQ_5D) & EuroQol visual analogue scale (EQ_VAS)) of the elderly in Korea. METHODS: This study was based on 3,903 subjects aged 65 years or more who participated in the Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES V), 2010~2012. The HRQoL was analyzed by various factors (general characteristics, health habits, mental health, chronic diseases, nutrient intakes). SPSS statistics for complex samples (Windows ver. 21.0) was used. RESULTS: The HRQoL was higher in the males, those with higher educational level or higher income level while it was lower in those belong to single households. In particular, the EQ_5D was significantly higher in the group who reported walking practice, moderate physical activity (male), and the group who reported no vigorous physical activity (female). The EQ_VAS was significantly higher in the group who reported walking practice. Both EQ_5D and EQ_VAS were significantly lower in the group with stress, melancholy, suicidal thinking, and osteoarthritis. EQ_5D was significantly lower in the group with < 75% Estimated Energy Requirements (EER) in energy intake, and with < Estimated Average Requirements (EAR) in iron or niacin intake. A stepwise regression analysis revealed that i) higher educational level (male), and good self-rated health status significantly increased the EQ_5D, ii) age, alcohol intake (male), melancholy (female), suicidal thinking, osteoarthritis, and niacin intake deficiency (male) significantly decreased the EQ_5D, iii) higher income level (male) and good self-rated health status significantly increased the EQ_VAS, and iv) age (male), stress, suicidal thinking (female) and osteoarthritis significantly decreased the EQ_VAS. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggested that general characteristics, mental health, osteoarthritis, and niacin intake were associated with the HRQoL. Prospective research of long-term control is needed to establish the causal relationship between factors and the HRQoL.