Post-COVID syndrome in real-world ambulatory practice

General Medicine, 2023, 25(4), 40-44.

I. Krachunov

Pulmonology Unit, MHAT “Heart and Brain” – Pleven

Abstract. Topic: The concept of post-COVID syndrome unites a set of residual and new-onset symptoms persisting for more than 4 weeks among acute COVID. Aim: To assess the prevalence of the most frequent symptoms persisting or occurring after re-illness of covid in unselected patients who underwent outpatient pulmonology practice. Methods: A survey was conducted of patients undergoing outpatient pulmonology practice during a standard examination. Results: 103 patients were included, of which 84.47% had one post-COVID symptom, 61.17% and 38.83% had two and three, respectively. In the hospitalized group, there are significantly more patients with three or more post-covid symptoms (59.38% vs. 29.58% p=0.004). Among the most common symptoms are: fatigue (62.14%), profuse sweating (33.1%), chest tightness (27.18%), cough (25.24%), etc. Moderate and severe X-ray changes occurred in 33.01% of patients – significantly more often among hospitalized 53.13% versus 23.94% outpatients p = 0.001. Patients with them have more often ≥ 3 post-COVID symptoms 67.65% vs. 24.64% p = 0.0001. A new disease after covid was found in 22.33% of patients ‒ significantly more often in hospitalized compared to outpatients ‒ 34.38% vs. 16.90% respectively p < 0.05. Conclusion: Patients discharged from hospital after COVID should be especially carefully monitored for the presence of severe post-covid syndrome. Studies are needed on the duration and severity of the syndrome.

Key words: post-COVID syndrome, post-covid symptoms

Address for correspondence: I. Krachunov, MD, e-mail: krachunov3@mail.bg