Incidence of post-COVID-19 syndrome and its association with COVID-19 severity in a tertiary private hospital: Prospective cohort study

OBJECTIVES: We determined the incidence of post-COVID-19 syndrome and its association with COVID-19 severity among patients discharged in a tertiary private hospital. METHODS: This single-center prospective cohort study included admitted patients 18 years old and older, diagnosed with COVID-19, discharged recovered, and interviewed at least 6 months from onset of COVID-19. Incidence of post-COVID-19 syndrome obtained and its association with COVID-19 severity was analyzed. RESULTS: Among the 280 patients included in the study, 71.43% were diagnosed with post-COVID-19 syndrome, with higher proportion in men (53%). The median age was 50 (18-92) years old. All severe COVID-19 cases (21%) had post-COVID-19 syndrome. The leading comorbidities were hypertension (25%) and diabetes mellitus (10%). Top three symptoms were shortness of breath (42%), fatigue (38%), and body malaise (36%). Moderate cases had about five times higher odds of post-COVID-19 syndrome than mild cases. Severe cases had 92 times higher odds of having post-COVID-19 syndrome than mild cases. COVID-19 severity at baseline was significantly associated with post-COVID-19 syndrome. CONCLUSION: This study found a high incidence of post-COVID-19 syndrome with a higher proportion occurring in men. Severe cases had higher odds of having post-COVID-19 syndrome than mild cases.