Purpose: Patients infected with the SARS-CoV-2 may develop symptoms that last for three months, generally referred to as “post-COVID conditions” (PCC). The study aimed to investigate the symptoms and associated factors of patients with PCC based on the data from a COVID-19 integrated outpatient clinic in a Taipei City hospital.
Methods: A retrospective medical record study was conducted to collect patient data from the integrated COVID-19 clinic from January 2022 to March 2023. The patients were followed up until 6 months after the date of release from isolation. PCC was defined as symptoms lasting for 3 months (≥90 days) with no other identifiable cause. A symptom questionnaire completed by each patient was collected, incorporating the Brief Symptom Rating Scale (BSRS), as well as information on gender, age, history of chronic diseases, COVID-19 vaccination status (receipt of two doses), and hospitalization status during the acute phase.
Results: A total of 174 subjects were enrolled, including 78 males (44.8%) and 96 females (55.2%). PCC was observed in 69 subjects (39.7%), comprising 28 males (40.6%) and 41 females (59.4%). Fatigue, memory loss, cough, attention deficit, headache, muscle aches, and breathing difficulties emerged as the most common PCC symptoms, and those marked with statistically significant differences included memory loss, unexplained hair loss, and skin rashes. Factors significantly influencing the symptoms were gender, gastroesophageal reflux, allergic rhinitis, and hospitalization during the acute phase of COVID-19 infection. Among the BSRS items, a significant correlation was found between the severity of emotional distress and the number of patients experiencing PCC.
Conclusion: COVID-19 infection affects multiple organ systems, and patients may develop a wide range of symptoms. The symptoms of PCC can persist for an extended period, underscoring the need for long-term follow-up to understand the pathological mechanisms and impacts of COVID-19 infection.