[Long covid: cross sectional study].

INTRODUCTION

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a public health problem worldwide. After 3 weeks of the onset of the disease, between 10-87% of patients persist with symptoms. The objective of the study was to evaluate the persistence of symptoms in patients with COVID-19, the associated factors, and to explore the patients' perception of the disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study that included 85 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19, who attended on an outpatient basis after the acute phase (> 3 weeks) of the disease.

RESULTS

The median time from diagnosis to outpatient consultation was 53 days (interquartile range 31-65). Most (86%) had mild disease, 45% were women and the mean age was 43 years (standard deviation of 13). After the acute phase of the disease 52% (95% CI 41-63%) of the patients persisted with symptoms. The most frequently persistent symptoms were fatigue (49%) and cough (33%). Nineteen percent had insomnia and sixteen percent had anxiety. Female sex, obesity, age between 35-55 years, and initial hospitalization were associated with the persistence of symptoms. Twenty percent of the patients stopped following the prevention recommendations because they believed they were immunized.

CONCLUSION

More than half of the patients persisted with symptoms 3 weeks after the COVID-19 diagnosis, so medical follow-up is important. Female sex, obesity, age 35-55 years, and initial hospitalization were associated factors. The symptoms usually resolved over time.