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. 2025 Jul 29;25(1):954.
doi: 10.1186/s12879-025-11327-1.

Impact of post-COVID-19 syndrome on quality of life and functionality in ethnically diverse and vulnerable populations in the Amazon

Marcelo Silva de Paula #  1 , Sheyla Mara Silva de Oliveira #  2 , Tatiane Costa Quaresma #  2 , Guilherme Augusto Barros Conde #  3 , Laura Maria Vidal Nogueira #  2 , Valney Mara Gomes Conde #  2 , Adjanny Estela Santos de Souza #  2 , Waldiney Pires Moraes #  3 , Camila Castilho Moraes #  3 , Marcos Manoel Honorato #  2 , Daliane Ferreira Marinho #  2 , Franciane de Paula Fernandes #  2 , Lívia de Aguiar Valentim #  4
Affiliations

Impact of post-COVID-19 syndrome on quality of life and functionality in ethnically diverse and vulnerable populations in the Amazon

Marcelo Silva de Paula et al. BMC Infect Dis. .

Abstract

This study investigated the impact of post-COVID-19 syndrome on the quality of life, mental health, and functional capacity of individuals from ethnically diverse and socioeconomically vulnerable populations in the Brazilian Amazon. The sample consisted of 25 clinically diagnosed individuals from remote communities, predominantly women (60%) and racially diverse, including mixed-race (56%), Indigenous (32%), Black (8%), and White (4%) participants. Validated instruments were used to assess fatigue, anxiety, depression, quality of life, and physical performance. The findings revealed high rates of moderate to extreme fatigue (88%) and psychological symptoms, with over half of participants showing signs of anxiety or depression. Functional impairment was confirmed through the 1-Minute Sit-to-Stand Test. Correlation analyses showed that older age, lower education, and lower income were associated with worse mental health and quality of life outcomes. Cluster and principal component analyses identified distinct symptomatic and sociodemographic profiles, with the most disadvantaged groups presenting the greatest burden. These results highlight the disproportionate effects of post-COVID-19 syndrome on vulnerable populations and emphasize the need for comprehensive public health interventions that integrate physical, mental, and social care dimensions.

Keywords: Fatigue; Post-COVID-19 syndrome; Quality of life; Vulnerable populations.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: The study was approved, opinion 6.298.330, by the Research Ethics Committee (CEP) of the State University of Pará, located at Rua Plácido de Castro, 1399, Bairro Aparecida, Santarém, PA, CEP: 68038610, e-mail: ceptapajos@uepa.br, written informed consent was obtained from all participants, and all methods were performed in accordance with current guidelines and standards. Consent for publication: Not Applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Age and Family Income Clustering of Patients with Post-COVID-19 Syndrome. Source: Patient data analysis on fatigue, anxiety, and depression levels (Post-COVID-19 Syndrome Study), 202
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Symptom-Based Clustering of Patients with Post-COVID-19 Syndrome: Fatigue and Anxiety/Depression Levels. Source: Patient data analysis on fatigue, anxiety, and depression levels (Post-COVID-19 Syndrome Study), 2024
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Distribution of Post-COVID-19 Syndrome Patients Based on Principal Components: Cluster Analysis. Source: Patient data analysis on fatigue, anxiety, and depression levels (Post-COVID-19 Syndrome Study), 20
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Spearman Correlation Matrix Between Sociodemographic and Clinical Variables in Post-COVID-19 Patients. Source: Patient data analysis on fatigue, anxiety, and depression levels (Post-COVID-19 Syndrome Study), 2024
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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