LONG COVID- 'THE MYSTERY YET TO REVEAL'

Abstract

Introduction: The first case of covid19 in India on January 31,2020.India has presently achieved over 90% recovery.9.5 million cases recovered out of 10 million reported as of December 19,2020.However,as the cohort of survivors expands, it is now being realized that a parallel epidemic of the post-COVID syndrome/long COVID is emerging.Aim:To identify and manage long covid more efficiently. Objective:To record follow up data of covid 19 survivors.Materials & Method: This is the prospective cohort study including 150 patients of,all confirmed hospitalized patients who were discharged during 2nd wave of COVID 19 from RRMCH, Bangalore, patients were contacted by telephone. Duration for 6 months April 21 to October 21. Results:Patients were found to have a direct correlation with days of hospitalization (p-0.0001,R0.773) presence of co morbidities(p-0.0001) and history of smoking(p-0.006) with Chalder fatigue score. Patients with vaccination were found to have proportionately lower CFS scores thereby indicating the importance of vaccination in prevention of Long Covid complications. Conclusion:This study makes it evident that of those who survived COVID-19 illness a significant proportion is likely to experience a post-COVID syndrome up to 6 months after the active illness