Evaluation of post COVID-19 conditions and functional disabilities: A cross-sectional survey

Abstract

Objective: To assess the prevalence of post COVID-19 conditions, functional disability impacting daily living, and associated sociodemographic determinants.

Methods: In this cross-sectional door-to-door survey, post COVID-19 conditions were identified. Functional impairment was assessed using EuroQoL five-dimension five-level (EQ-5D-5L) questionnaire. Relative risk of symptoms in the COVID-19 positive group as compared to the symptoms in the COVID-19 negative group was calculated. Chi-square test with subsequent Bonferroni's correction was performed to analyze the association of symptoms with age categories, sex and severity of infection. P value <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

Results: Out of 57610 persons surveyed, COVID-19 test reports were available for 34602 (1799 positive and 32 803 negative) respondents. Post COVID-19 complaints were significantly more prevalent in infected individuals, including loss of taste (RR 8.82, 95% CI 4.77-16.31, P<0.01), loss of smell (RR 7.29, 95% CI 3.7414.22, P<0.01), fatigue (RR 2.97, 95% CI 2.56-3.44, P<0.01), muscle pains (RR 1.86, 95% CI 1.59-2.18, P<0.01). EQ-5D-5L scores reflected greater difficulty in mobility, self-care, daily activities, and mental health among the infected group, especially in moderate to severe cases.

Conclusions: The survey highlights a significantly higher burden of post COVID-19 complaints and functional limitations among COVID-19 positive individuals. These findings underscore the necessity for long-term management strategies to mitigate the burden of post COVID-19 conditions and poor functional status.

Keywords

Arsenic album / Cough / EQ-5D-5L questionnaire / Fatigue / Post COVID-19 / Post COVID-19 functional status / Scheduled Castes

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Funding

The survey was funded by the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, Ministry of Ayush, Govt. of India, under the Special Component Plan for Scheduled Castes (Minor Head) budget component (Grant No. 040031).

Authors’ contributions

RM conceptualized and designed the study, coordinated the implementation, performed data analysis and interpretation, and critically revised the manuscript for important intellectual content. SS compiled and validated the data, prepared the study master chart, contributed to data analysis and drafted the manuscript. GC, LN, BB, GRCR, DK, AM, RB, MS, AKP, KV, and RKS contributed to data acquisition and gave inputs to the manuscript development. NB contributed to data validation and conducted the data analysis. DT contributed to study design, questionnaire development, data analysis planning, manuscript drafting and critically revised the manuscript for important intellectual content. SK provided approvals for study implementation, critically revised the manuscript for important intellectual content. All authors gave approval to the final version for submission. SCSP Study group are the research fellows and office assistants recruited for the study, who played a pivotal role in data collection and compilation.

Publisher’s note

The Publisher of the Journal remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Edited by Lei Y, Zhang Q, Pan Y

Acknowledgements

We express our sincere gratitude to Dr. Anil Khurana, Former Chairman, National Commission for Homoeopathy, and former Director General of Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH), for his invaluable contribution to the development of the study concept and design. We also acknowledge Dr. Amulya Ratna Sahoo, Research Officer (Homeopathy)/ Scientist – 3 at the Drug Proving Research Unit, Bhubaneswar, for active participation in the study. Additionally, we acknowledge the preliminary data analysis conducted by Mr. Anurag Bajpai, a statistician at CCRH headquarters.

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