Assessment of Post-Covid Symptoms in Covid-19 Recovered Patients: A Prospective Cohort Study in a Tertiary Care Centre of South India

Background: The post-Covid symptoms among patients hospitalised with covid has to be determined for elucidating the spectrum of illness which persists even after the apparent recovery. The understanding of the post-Covid symptoms will help us to better manage aftermath of the pandemic.Aim: To determine the incidence of post-Covid symptoms in a cohort of inpatients who recovered from COVID-19 from a tertiary care centre in South India.Method: 120 survivors from patients admitted with COVID 19 were prospectively followed up for 6 weeks after their discharge from the hospital. The cohort included 50 patients requiring Intensive care unit (ICU) care and 70 ward patients. The follow-up was conducted on the second and sixth week after discharge with a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire was filled by the patient/bystanders during their visit to the hospital for follow-up at 2 weeks and through telephone follow up at 6 weeks.Results: Mean age of the cohort was 55 years and 55% were males. 58.3% had mild covid and 41.7% had moderate to severe covid infection. 60.8% (n=73) of patients had at least one persistent symptom at sixth week of discharge. 50 (41.7%) patients required intensive care during their inpatient stay. Presence of persistent symptoms at 6 weeks was not associated with severity of illness, age or requirement for intensive care. Fatigue was the most common reported persistent symptom with a prevalence of 55.8% followed by weight loss (22.5%) and dyspnoea (20%). Female sex (OR 2.4, 95% CI: 1.03–5.58, p = 0.041) and steroid administration during hospital stay (OR: 4.43; 95% CI: 1.9–10.28, p = 0.001), were found to be significant risk factors for the presence of post-Covid symptoms at 6 weeks as revealed by logistic regression analysis.Conclusion: 60.8% of inpatients treated for covid had post-Covid symptoms at 6 weeks post- discharge from hospital. Female sex and steroid administration during hospital stay were identified as predictors of persistence of post-Covid symptoms at 6weeks.