Self-scored impairments in functioning and disability in post-COVID syndrome following mild COVID-19 infection
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.2340/jrm.v53.188Keywords:
postcovid syndrome, International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, ICF, functioning, fatigue, activity, quality of lifeAbstract
Objectives: To investigate functioning, activity and disability in people with post-COVID syndrome.
Design: Cross-sectional.
Subjects/patients: Participants were recruited online via Facebook and a stakeholders’ organization for post-COVID syndrome in Sweden.
Methods: Sociodemographic data and International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF)-based questionnaire were collected via an online platform and analysed.
Results: A total of 100 participants were included (mean age 44.5 years, 82% women, 61% with higher education, and 56% working full- or part-time). For the ICF component Body Functions, the most impaired functions were: fatigability and energy drive (98–99%); higher cognitive functions (74–94%); sleep functions (98%); muscle functions (93%); respiratory functions (92%); heart functions (82%); emotional functions (80%); sexual functions (77%); pain problems (56–90%); and thermoregulatory functions (68%). For the component Activity, the most frequent limitations were: handling stressful situations (98%); remunerative employment (95%); recreation and leisure (94%); climbing the stairs (94%); doing housework (84%); and informal socializing (64%). The most frequent degrees of impairment/limitations were light and moderate, except for severe-complete for fatigue, higher cognitive functions, multitasking, handling stressful situations; and recreation and leisure activities.
Conclusion: Post-COVID syndrome following a mild COVID-19 infection can result in impaired body functions and activities. These results support the importance of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation approach for these patients.
Lay Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic has infected several hundred million people worldwide to date. A proportion of people with COVID-19 who develop a mild initial illness, mainly staying at home or requesting few days of hospitalization, do not subsequently recover fully. Some of them develop new persistent symptoms and an increased level of disability, affecting their functioning. This study describes functioning and disability in people with post-COVID syndrome after a mild initial infection, using a self-scored questionnaire based on the International Classification of Functioning and Disability. A total of 100 participants were included in the study. Participants were relatively young and healthy prior to the infection. The majority were female, with a high level of education, and mostly working full- or part-time. Many disabling symptoms were found to persist, indicating the need for further research into post-COVID syndrome, and supporting the use of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation approach for these patients.
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