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Observational Study
. 2022 Jan 1;101(1):48-52.
doi: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000001910.

Post-acute COVID-19 Syndrome Negatively Impacts Physical Function, Cognitive Function, Health-Related Quality of Life, and Participation

Laura Tabacof  1 , Jenna Tosto-Mancuso, Jamie Wood, Mar Cortes, Amy Kontorovich, Dayna McCarthy, Dahlia Rizk, Gabriela Rozanski, Erica Breyman, Leila Nasr, Christopher Kellner, Joseph E Herrera, David Putrino
Affiliations
Observational Study

Post-acute COVID-19 Syndrome Negatively Impacts Physical Function, Cognitive Function, Health-Related Quality of Life, and Participation

Laura Tabacof et al. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. .

Abstract

Objective: This report describes persistent symptoms associated with post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (PACS) and the impact of these symptoms on physical function, cognitive function, health-related quality of life, and participation.

Design: This study used a cross-sectional observational study design. Patients attending Mount Sinai's post-acute COVID-19 syndrome clinic completed surveys containing patient-reported outcomes.

Results: A total of 156 patients completed the survey, at a median (range) time of 351 days (82-457 days) after COVID-19 infection. All patients were prevaccination. The most common persistent symptoms reported were fatigue (n = 128, 82%), brain fog (n = 105, 67%), and headache (n = 94, 60%). The most common triggers of symptom exacerbation were physical exertion (n = 134, 86%), stress (n = 107, 69%), and dehydration (n = 77, 49%). Increased levels of fatigue (Fatigue Severity Scale) and dyspnea (Medical Research Council) were reported, alongside reductions in levels of regularly completed physical activity. Ninety-eight patients (63%) scored for at least mild cognitive impairment (Neuro-Qol), and the domain of the EuroQol: 5 dimension, 5 level most impacted was Self-care, Anxiety/Depression and Usual Activities.

Conclusions: Persistent symptoms associated with post-acute COVID-19 syndrome seem to impact physical and cognitive function, health-related quality of life, and participation in society. More research is needed to further clarify the relationship between COVID-19 infection and post-acute COVID-19 syndrome symptoms, the underlying mechanisms, and treatment options.

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Conflict of interest statement

Financial disclosure statements have been obtained, and no conflicts of interest have been reported by the authors or by any individuals in control of the content of this article.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Most commonly reported persistent symptoms by all patients (N = 156).
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Levels of moderate (A) and vigorous (B) intensity physical activity regularly completed (150 mins/wk) before and after COVID-19 infection in all patients (N = 156).
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Neuro-QoL level of impairment according to t scores in patients who completed the measure (n = 155). Neuro-QoL scores have a mean of 50 and SD of 10 in a referent population. T scores 40–45 indicate mild dysfunction, t scores 30–40 indicate moderate dysfunction, and t scores less than 30 indicate severe dysfunction.
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 4
Employment status before and after COVID-19 infection in participants who answered employment questions (n = 134).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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