Correlation between antibody levels and long-term symptoms in survivors of COVID-19: health outcomes and societal implications

Abstract

Aims: It was aimed to evaluate the relationship between antibody levels, demographic characteristics, and ongoing symptoms of people who have positive COVID-19 real-time PCR (RT-PCR) tests and donated plasma after the disease. Methods: Patients who voluntarily donated plasma were called by phone, and 105 patients who wanted to participate in the survey were included in the study. Ongoing symptoms, antibody test results, demographic characteristics, and other data of the participants were recorded. Results: IgM was high in patients whose first complaint was fever and muscle pain at the onset of the disease and who used favipiravir for treatment (p=0.030, p=0.035, p=0.007). In those who survived the disease, it was determined that the IgM level decreased after the peak in the first month and the IgG level in the third month; the results were statistically significant. The IgG level decreased with the elapsed time and smoking, and the IgG level was found to be high in those who used favipiravir, hydroxychloroquine, or both during the disease and those in the AB blood type. Conclusion: Some symptoms may persist even after the COVID-19 infection has been overcome. This study will contribute to a better understanding of this disease and the process after it.