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Deciphering Long Covid: Next Emergent Healthcare Dilemma

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Listed:
  • Sana Abbas
  • Beenish Abbas
  • Haifsa Rafique
  • Aisha Rafique
  • Saima Zafar
  • Ramesha Azam

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence of Long Haul COVID–19 Syndrome among Pakistani Population. Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted after approval from the ethical review committee of the Foundation University College of Dentistry, Islamabad from June 2021 to September 2021. A non-probability consecutive sampling methodology was employed and a total of (168) participants after voluntary consent were enrolled in the study, after explaining the study protocol to the patients. The final Questionnaire is comprised of three sections. Section – I focused on the demographic profile (Age, Gender, Profession) of the participants. Section – II was designed to investigate COVID – 19 disease history, comorbid, coronavirus disease severity along with the number of individuals infected in the family, duration of positive polymerase chain reaction results, and management destination (Hospital or Home). Section – III addressed the frequency of persistent symptoms (Gastrointestinal, Systemic, Cardiovascular, Musculoskeletal, Immunological, Dermatological, Neuropsychiatric, Ophthalmological, Pulmonary, Otorhinolaryngological, Endocrine, Reproductive and Genitourinary systems). Results: 168 responders participated in this survey study,48 (28.6%) males while 120 (71.4%) females. About 36 (11.9%) were found to be suffering from comorbidity, 84 (50.0%) suffered from mild disease symptoms, while only 4 (2.4%) experienced the severe disease. The disease was managed at home for a major chunk of responders, 140 (83.3%).132 (78.6%) were found to have suffered from long COVID syndrome with the persistence of symptoms beyond four weeks of infection. The most common symptoms included fatigue (78.8%), fever (60.0%), loss of taste (57.8%), dry cough (45.5%), headache (42.4%), post-exertional malaise (45.5%), shortness of breath (39.4%), insomnia (39.0%), loss of smell (36.4%), loss of appetite (33.3%) and depression (33.3%).Male gender (p=0.009), with existing chronic illnesses (p

Suggested Citation

  • Sana Abbas & Beenish Abbas & Haifsa Rafique & Aisha Rafique & Saima Zafar & Ramesha Azam, 2021. "Deciphering Long Covid: Next Emergent Healthcare Dilemma," European Journal of Medical and Health Sciences, European Open Science, vol. 3(6), pages 39-43, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:epw:ejmed0:v:3:y:2021:i:6:id:41096
    DOI: 10.24018/ejmed.2021.3.6.1096
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    1. Callard, Felicity & Perego, Elisa, 2021. "How and why patients made Long Covid," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 268(C).
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