Recovery from COVID-19: a sprint or marathon? 6 months follow-up data of online long COVID-19 support group members

Vaes, Anouk W.; Goërtz, Yvonne M.J.; Van Herck, Maarten; Machado, Felipe V. C.; Meys, Roy; Delbressine, Jeannet M.; Houben-Wilke, Sarah; Gaffron, Swetlana; Maier, Dieter; Burtin, Chris; Posthuma, Rein; van Loon, Nicole P. H.; Franssen, Frits M. E.; Hajian, Bita; Simons, Sami O.; van Boven, Job F. M.; Klok, Frederikus A.; Spaetgens, Bart; Pinxt, Claire M.H.; Liu, Limmie Y.L.; Wesseling, Geertjan; Spies, Yvonne; Vijlbrief, Herman; van't Hul, Alex J.; Janssen, Daisy J.A.; Spruit, Martijn A.

BACKGROUND: It remains unknown whether and to what extent members of online long COVID-19 peer support groups remain symptomatic and limited over time. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate symptoms in members of online long COVID-19 peer support groups up to 6 months after the onset of COVID-19-related symptoms. METHODS: Demographics, symptoms, health status, work productivity, functional status and health-related quality of life were assessed about 3 and 6 months after the onset of COVID-19-related symptoms in members of online long COVID-19 peer support groups. RESULTS: Data of 239 patients with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis (83% women; median (IQR) age: 50 (39–56) years) were analysed. During the infection, a median (IQR) of 15 (11–18) symptoms was reported, which was significantly lower 3 and 6 months later: 6 (4–9) and 6 (3–8), respectively (p<0.05). From 3 to 6 months follow-up, the proportion of patients without symptoms increased from 1.3% to only 5.4% (p<0.001). Patients also reported a significantly improved work productivity (work absenteeism and presenteeism: 73% versus 52% and 66% versus 60%), self-reported good health (9.2% versus 16.7%), functional status (Post COVID-19 Functional Status scale: 2.4 (0.9) versus 2.2 (0.8)) and health-related quality of life (all p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Although patients with confirmed COVID-19, who were all members of online long COVID-19 peer support groups, reported significant improvements in work productivity, functional status and quality of life between 3 and 6 months follow up, these data clearly highlight the long-term impact of COVID-19, as approximately 6 months after the onset of COVID-19-related symptoms a large proportion still experienced persistent symptoms, a moderate-to-poor health, moderate to severe functional limitations, considerable loss in work productivity, and/or an impaired quality of life. Action is needed to improve the management and healthcare of these patients.