Published in:
Open Access
01-12-2024 | SARS-CoV-2 | Research
Post-recovery health domain scores among outpatients by SARS-CoV-2 testing status during the pre-Delta period
Authors:
Jennifer P. King, Jessie R. Chung, James G. Donahue, Emily T. Martin, Aleda M. Leis, Arnold S. Monto, Manjusha Gaglani, Kayan Dunnigan, Chandni Raiyani, Sharon Saydah, Brendan Flannery, Edward A. Belongia
Published in:
BMC Infectious Diseases
|
Issue 1/2024
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Abstract
Background
Symptoms of COVID-19 including fatigue and dyspnea, may persist for weeks to months after SARS-CoV-2 infection. This study compared self-reported disability among SARS-CoV-2-positive and negative persons with mild to moderate COVID-19-like illness who presented for outpatient care before widespread COVID-19 vaccination.
Methods
Unvaccinated adults with COVID-19-like illness enrolled within 10 days of illness onset at three US Flu Vaccine Effectiveness Network sites were tested for SARS-CoV-2 by molecular assay. Enrollees completed an enrollment questionnaire and two follow-up surveys (7–24 days and 2–7 months after illness onset) online or by phone to assess illness characteristics and health status. The second follow-up survey included questions measuring global health, physical function, fatigue, and dyspnea. Scores in the four domains were compared by participants’ SARS-CoV-2 test results in univariate analysis and multivariable Gamma regression.
Results
During September 22, 2020 – February 13, 2021, 2712 eligible adults were enrolled, 1541 completed the first follow-up survey, and 650 completed the second follow-up survey. SARS-CoV-2-positive participants were more likely to report fever at acute illness but were otherwise comparable to SARS-CoV-2-negative participants. At first follow-up, SARS-CoV-2-positive participants were less likely to have reported fully or mostly recovered from their illness compared to SARS-CoV-2-negative participants. At second follow-up, no differences by SARS-CoV-2 test results were detected in the four domains in the multivariable model.
Conclusion
Self-reported disability was similar among outpatient SARS-CoV-2-positive and -negative adults 2–7 months after illness onset.