Covid-19: one year after their hospitalization, patients still suffer from at least one persistent symptom

 Chinese researchers compared the consequences between 6 months and 12 months after the onset of symptoms in hospitalized survivors with Covid-19. According to the results of the study, one year after their hospitalization, half of the patients still suffer from at least one persistent symptom.

The largest cohort study of hospitalized survivors with COVID-19

A new study carried out in China has focused on the consequences of the Long Covid. This would be the largest cohort study of survivors hospitalized for Covid-19 with a year of hindsight. To do this, the researchers relied on the health check carried out on nearly 1,300 people discharged between January and May 2020 from a hospital in Wuhan. Participants were followed 6 months and 12 months after hospitalization through questionnaires and physical examinations.

Fatigue, muscle weakness, shortness of breath and depression

According to the results of the study just published in the British journal The Lancet, about half of the patients discharged from hospital "still suffer from at least one persistent symptom and one in three patients still has shortness of breath" after twelve months. Specifically, muscle fatigue or weakness were the most frequently reported symptoms during both visits, but the proportion increased from 52% at 6 months to 20% at 12 months. The researchers also noted that the proportion of patients with dyspnea (respiratory discomfort) increased slightly, from 26% at the visit after six months, to 30% at the visit after 12 months. The study also highlights an increase in the proportion of patients with anxiety or depression, to 26% from 23%.

Covid-19 survivors still have a lower health condition one year after infection

In the end, a year after the acute infection, Covid-19 survivors still had a lower state of health than non-Covid-19 controls. On the other hand, the scientists point out that "the proportion of patients with at least one symptom or sequelae decreased from 68% after six months, to 49% after twelve months". Still, the researchers note that 88% of patients who were employed before Covid-19 returned to their original work at 12 months.

Women more affected than men

Finally, the study reveals that women are more affected than men with persistent symptoms. Indeed, women are 43% more likely than men to suffer from fatigue or persistent muscle weakness, and twice as likely to be diagnosed with anxiety or depression. In addition, the researchers realized that they are also three times more affected by a decrease in the diffusion capacity of their lungs, that is to say, a worse transfer of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the lungs and the blood.