Post-COVID- 19 syndrome in healthcare workers

ABSTRACT

Background: COVID-19 is a disease with a varied expression, in terms of its clinical expression, its severity, and its duration. The persistence of symptoms during several weeks or months after the first episode has been reported in several studies. The objective of this survey was to identify the occurrence of post-COVID- 19 symptoms and its determinants in healthcare professionals of Sahloul Academic Hospital in Tunisia. Method(s) A cross-sectional survey was carried out among healthcare workers in Sahloul Academic Hospital in Tunisia for which a diagnosis of COVID-19 was made between September 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020. Data included socio-demographic, professional, and clinical features. Post-COVID symptoms were evaluated 6 months after infection. Result(s) A total of 188/279 affected healthcare workers had participated in our study. The mean age was 41 years and the sex ratio was 0.34. Paramedical staff represented 63.2% of the population. 22.8% were working in the emergency and intensive care units. A previous medical history was reported by 45.2% of patients. The initial symptoms were asthenia (65.4%), headaches (52.9%), and fever (39.4%). Five cases required hospitalisation. Persistent symptoms 6 months after the infection were reported by 67.6% of the staff. The most commonly reported symptoms were asthenia (25%), shortness of breath (24.5%), arthromyalgia (16%), and chest pain (13.3%). The occurrence of post COVID19 symptoms was correlated with female gender (p = 0.018) and initial symptomatic form (p = 0.043). Conclusion(s) The post-COVID- 19 syndrome was common in the population studied. The poly-symptomatic and fluctuating nature of its clinical manifestations raises questions and concerns for patients and clinicians.