Quality of life and ability to work of patients with Post-COVID syndrome in relation to the number of existing symptoms and the duration since infection up to 12 months: a cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: Following SARS-CoV-2 virus infection, patients may suffer from long-lasting symptoms regardless of disease severity. Preliminary results show limitations in health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The aim of this study is to show a possible change depending on the duration since infection and the accumulation of symptoms. Additionally, other possible influencing factors will be analyzed. METHODS: The study population consisted of patients (18-65 years) presenting to the Post-COVID outpatient clinic of the University Hospital Jena, Germany, between March and October 2021. The HRQoL was assessed by the use of the RehabNeQ and the SF-36. Data analysis was descriptive with frequencies, means, and/or percentages. In addition, a univariate analysis of variance was performed to show the dependence of physical and psychological HRQoL on specific factors. This was finally tested for significance at an alpha level of 5%. RESULTS: Data from 318 patients were analyzed, most of whom had 3-6 months of infection (56%) and 5-10 symptoms persisted (60.4%). Both mental (MCS) and physical sum score (PCS) of HRQoL were significantly lower than those of the German normal population (p < .001). The number of remaining symptoms (MCS p = .0034, PCS p = .000) as well as the perceived ability to work (MCS p = .007, PCS p = .000) influenced the HRQoL. CONCLUSION: The HRQoL of patients with Post-COVID-syndrome is still reduced months after infection and so is their occupational performance. In particular, the number of symptoms could have an influence on this deficit, which would need to be further investigated. Further research is needed to detect other factors influencing HRQoL and to implement appropriate therapeutic interventions.

The impact of Post-COVID-Syndrome on functioning - results from a community survey in patients after mild and moderate SARS-CoV-2-infections in Germany.

BACKGROUND: In COVID-19 survivors a relatively high number of long-term symptoms have been observed. Besides impact on quality of life, these symptoms (now called Post-COVID-Syndrome) may have an impact on functioning and may also hinder to participation in social life in affected people. However, little is known about developing such syndrome a for patients with mild and moderate COVID-19 who did not need hospitalization or intensive care. METHODS: A cross-sectional study in 1027 patients with mild or moderate COVID-19 was performed in two communities in Bavaria, Germany. The Rehabilitation-Needs-Survey (RehabNeS) including the Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36) on health-related quality of life, was used. Descriptive statistics were calculated. RESULTS: In all, 97.5% of patients reported one symptom in the infection stage, such as fatigue, respiratory problems, limitations of the senses of taste and smell, fear and anxiety and other symptoms. In this time period, 84.1% of the participants experienced activity limitations and participation restrictions such as carrying out daily routines, handling stress, getting household tasks done, caring for/supporting others, and relaxing and leisure concerns. In all, 61.9% of participants reported persisting symptoms more than 3 months after infection. These were fatigue, sleep disturbances, respiratory problems, pain, fear and anxiety, and restrictions in movement; 49% of the participants reported activity limitations and participation restrictions. Predominately, these were handling stress, carrying out daily routines, looking after one's health, relaxing and leisure activities and doing house work. The impacts on quality of life and vocational performance were rather low. CONCLUSION: The results show that long-term symptoms after mild and moderate COVID-19 are common and lead to limitations of activities and participation. However, it seems that in most cases they are not severe and do not lead to frequent or serious issues with quality of life or work ability.

Assessment of rehabilitation needs in patients after COVID-19: Development of the COVID-19-rehabilitation needs survey.

OBJECTIVE: COVID-19 can result in a broad spectrum of dysfunctions, some of which may persist for long periods, requiring long-term rehabilitation. A comprehensive screening tool is therefore necessary to identify these needs. To date, no data exist on satisfaction with medical and therapeutic interventions for COVID-19 in terms of quality and quantity. The aim of this study is to develop a survey for use with COVID-19 patients during and after the end of the acute phase of the disease. METHODS: Following the definition of dimensions by a group of experts, and a literature search, proven survey instruments were searched for suitable items. In addition, specific questions were developed based on symptoms, and answer options were created with regard to to the complexity of the questions. RESULTS: The COVID-19 Rehabilitation Needs Survey (C19-RehabNeS) consists of the established 36-item Short Form Survey (SF-36) together with the newly developed COVID-19-Rehabilitation Needs Questionnaire (C19-RehabNeQ) (11 further dimensions, respectively 57 items). CONCLUSION: C19-RehabNeS is a comprehensive survey to assess functional limitations and rehabilitation needs during and after infection with SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). The strength of this survey is that it combines the assessment of important rehabilitation needs with assessment of satisfaction with the health services, treatment and therapy during the pandemic (C19-RehabNeQ) and assessment of patients' quality of life (SF-36). The C19-RehabNeS survey also enables collection of systematic information on patients with Post-COVID-19 syndrome (Long-COVID-19).

Why Rehabilitation needs to be given Special Attention, Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic: A Statement by the German Society for Physical and Rehabilitative Medicine (DGPRM)

In Germany too, the reactions to the pandemic with the SARS coronavirus-2 has led to significant cuts in almost all areas of society and the priorities of health and social policy shifted dramatically. This also applies to rehabilitative care in practically all its dimensions. The following statement of the German Society for Physical and Rehabilitative Medicine (DGPRM) would like to discuss some aspects of these developments and derive recommendations.

Experiences of Physiotherapists in the Treatment of COVID-19-A Narrative Description of Effects on the Staff

The article is a summary of personal impressions that physiotherapists experience when treating COVID-19 patients in intensive care units. Mental and physical impressions are described and further effects on social and daily concerns are shown. Of central importance are not so much the fears as the worries. The work with COVID-19 patients shows effects on all areas of the private and professional environment of colleagues.

Early Rehabilitation in COVID-19 - Best Practice Recommendations for the Early Rehabilitation of COVID-19 Patients

The COVID-19 pandemic poses new challenges to physical medicine, physiotherapy, and acute care rehabilitation in rehabilitation clinics as well as in hospitals. We have to assume that COVID-19 patients may need early mobilization and acute care rehabilitation, despite of a possible scarcity of suitable facilities or services. It is the aim of this article to provide conceptual suggestions for the early rehabilitation of COVID-19, combining the existing experience in the acute care rehabilitation of patients with respiratory infections with the currently available sources and experience. These recommendations comprise a checklist of logistical and organisational preparations, aspects of infectivity and personal protective equipment, adjustment of the patients' surroundings, interprofessional team work and co-therapy, respiratory therapy, mobilisation, activating care, ADL training, training intensity, and psychosocial management.