Manifestations and risk factors of post COVID syndrome among COVID-19 patients presented with minimal symptoms – A study from Kerala, India

BACKGROUND: COVID 19 is associated with the development of post COVID syndrome usually manifested as fatigue, anxiety, joint pain, headache, chest pain, dementia, depression, and dyspnea. Documented evidence of post COVID syndrome among patients with asymptomatic or mild infections, especially from India is less. METHODOLOGY: A community based prospective cohort study was conducted among 154 patients admitted in CFLTCs of coastal Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala during May-August 2020. They were enrolled at the time of their admission to CFLTCs and were followed up for three months after discharge. The discharged patients were followed up at regular intervals of three weeks and three months by telephonic interview using a structured proforma. RESULTS: Out of the 154 patients followed up, 57 (37%) were men and 97 (63%) were women. The mean (SD) age of study participants was 31.49 (18.4) years. At least one symptom was present in 120 (78.0%) patients at the time of admission. Cough (29, 18.8%), fever (26, 16.8%), headache (25, 16.2%), rhinitis (23,14.9%) and sore throat (18, 11.7%) were the major symptoms reported at the time of admission. At the end of three weeks, 11 (7.1%) patients and at the end of three months 18 (11.7%) patients reported to have symptoms. Fatigue (5.8%), headache (5.8%) myalgia (3.2%) joint pain (2.5%) and exertional dyspnea (2.5%) were the predominant symptoms. Presence of fatigue, cough and breathlessness at the time of admission, and presence of another COVID positive family member were significantly associated with the appearance of post COVID symptoms. CONCLUSION: Post COVID syndrome is not uncommon in COVID 19 patients with minimal symptoms. Understanding long term consequences of COVID 19 is as important as management of acute COVID 19 due to its multisystem involvement and its implications on health and well-being.