Options of the course of post-COVID syndrome depending on age, gender, comorbidity and severity of the course of COVID-19

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Among residents of Chernivtsi region, the main characteristics, frequency and peculiarities of the occurrence of long-term symptomatic and post-COVID-19 syndrome have not been sufficiently elucidated. The goal of the study was set: to evaluate the options for the course of the post-covid syndrome depending on age, gender, comorbidity and severity of the course of COVID-19. Material and methods. The following research methods were used: electronic questionnaire, epidemiological, clinical and anamnestic, analytical and statistical methods. The study included 214 adult patients who were infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus (the diagnosis was confirmed by PCR) and who suffered from COVID- 19 of varying degrees of severity and were randomized into two groups: the 1st group (main) included – 112 people (ratio of men/women - 56.4 % (n = 63): 47.5 % (n = 49)), comparative (102 people) – patients with a mild and moderate course of COVID-19 who were consulted and were treated on an outpatient basis (male/female ratio – 45.5 % (n = 46): 54.5 % (n = 56)). Statistical processing of the data obtained during the research was carried out using the IBM SPSS Statistics v26.0 program. Results. It was found that among inpatients there was a significantly significant number of patients older than 60 years old (p < 0.001), whereas among outpatients there were significantly more patients aged 18-29, which indicates a connection between the age of the respondents and the need for inpatient treatment presence of COVID-19. In the main group, the following symptoms occurred more frequently (p < 0.05): cough OR = 2.023 [CI 1.105-3.703], fever OR = 6.916 [CI 2.061-23.204], difficulty breathing (dyspnea) OR = 4.421 [2.230 -8.764]. In the comparison group, the following prevailed: loss of smell OR = 0.147 [CI 0.077-0.281], fatigue OR = 0.456 [CI 0.226-0.920], increased temperature OR=2.023 [2.061- 23.204]. With a higher frequency, such diseases as: coronary heart disease (OR = 33.088 [CI 9.444-115.930]), arterial hypertension (OR = 13.641 [CI 6.547-28.422]), diabetes (OR = 4.755 [CI 1.915-11.803]), heart failure (OR = 18.504 [CI 8.200-41.752]), obesity (OR = 4.828 [CI 2.433-9.581]). Conclusions. 1. Among the patients who received inpatient treatment, the vast majority were people over 40 years old, younger men (from 40 years old) were more likely than women (over 60). 2. In persons with a severe course of COVID-19, the frequency of symptoms of shortness of breath, cough, difficulty breathing, chest pain is more likely to be registered, and in outpatients - loss of smell and fatigue. 3. With a greater frequency, such diseases as: coronary heart disease (37.5 %), arterial hypertension (57.4 %), diabetes (21.3 %), heart failure (54,1 %), obesity (41.1 %). Smoking and alcohol abuse did not show significant reliable differences. 4. The combination of 3 pathologies (hypertension, heart failure, obesity) was most common - in 11 people (10 %).