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Deep Dive into the Long Haul: Analysis of Symptom Clusters and Risk Factors for Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 to Inform Clinical Care
- Source :
- International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health; Volume 19; Issue 24; Pages: 16841, International journal of environmental research and public health, vol 19, iss 24
- Publication Year :
- 2022
-
Abstract
- Long COVID is a chronic condition characterized by symptoms such as fatigue, dyspnea, and cognitive impairment that persist or relapse months after an acute infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Many distinct symptoms have been attributed to Long COVID; however, little is known about the potential clustering of these symptoms and risk factors that may predispose patients to certain clusters. In this study, an electronic survey was sent to patients in the UC San Diego Health (UCSDH) system who tested positive for COVID-19, querying if patients were experiencing symptoms consistent with Long COVID. Based on survey results, along with patient demographics reported in the electronic health record (EHR), linear and logistic regression models were used to examine putative risk factors, and exploratory factor analysis was performed to determine symptom clusters. Among 999 survey respondents, increased odds of Long COVID (n = 421; 42%) and greater Long COVID symptom burden were associated with female sex (OR = 1.73, 99% CI: 1.16–2.58; β = 0.48, 0.22–0.75), COVID-19 hospitalization (OR = 4.51, 2.50–8.43; β = 0.48, 0.17–0.78), and poorer pre-COVID self-rated health (OR = 0.75, 0.57–0.97; β = −0.19, −0.32–−0.07). Over one-fifth of Long COVID patients screened positive for depression and/or anxiety, the latter of which was associated with younger age (OR = 0.96, 0.94–0.99). Factor analysis of 16 self-reported symptoms suggested five symptom clusters—gastrointestinal (GI), musculoskeletal (MSK), neurocognitive (NC), airway (AW), and cardiopulmonary (CP), with older age (β = 0.21, 0.11–0.30) and mixed race (β = 0.27, 0.04–0.51) being associated with greater MSK symptom burden. Greater NC symptom burden was associated with increased odds of depression (OR = 5.86, 2.71–13.8) and anxiety (OR = 2.83, 1.36–6.14). These results can inform clinicians in identifying patients at increased risk for Long COVID-related medical issues, particularly neurocognitive symptoms and symptom clusters, as well as informing health systems to manage operational expectations on a population-health level.
- Subjects :
- Long COVID
post-acute sequelae
SARS-CoV-2
Prevention
Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis
Neurosciences
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
COVID-19
symptom cluster
neurocognitive
Anxiety
Health Services
Toxicology
Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome
Emerging Infectious Diseases
Mental Health
Infectious Diseases
Good Health and Well Being
Clinical Research
Behavioral and Social Science
Disease Progression
Humans
Female
Mind and Body
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 16604601
- Volume :
- 19
- Issue :
- 24
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- International journal of environmental research and public health
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....d8cdbdb979af637dabbd5d45d0450fe3