Long COVID-19 and Health-Related Quality of Life of Mild Cases in Korea: 3-Months Follow-up of a Single Community Treatment Center

BACKGROUND: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID-19]) survivors mount as the pandemic continues. To date, studies on persistent symptoms and their effects on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in mild COVID-19 cases have been limited. METHODS: A prospective online survey was conducted in COVID-19 patients who were admitted to Seongnam Community Treatment Center, an isolation center in South Korea, from November 23rd 2021 to January 2nd 2022. Patients above the age of 19 with no or mild symptoms were included in the study. Total of 147 patients returned to the follow-up survey 3 months after discharge. Baseline demographics, clinical characteristics, symptoms, and EuroQol-5 dimensions-5 levels (EQ-5D-5L) measures were investigated. RESULTS: The median (interquartile range [IQR]) interval period between the initial and follow-up survey was 96.0 (93.0–98.0) days. The median (IQR) age of participants was 51.0 (43.0–61.0). During isolation, 131 (89.1%) patients manifested symptoms. On follow-up, 82 (55.8%) participants remained symptomatic. Common symptoms were constitutional (fatigue, myalgia), neurological (memory impairment, hyposmia, hypogeusia, dizziness), and neuropsychiatric (anxiety) symptoms. Participants with remaining neuropsychiatric symptoms reported the lowest EQ-5D-5L index values. Factors associated with persistent symptoms and diminished HRQoL were identified as female sex, metabolic disease, and anxiety during acute COVID-19 phase. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiopulmonary symptoms improved over time but constitutional, neurological, neuropsychiatric symptoms remained. Patients with neuropsychiatric symptoms (anxiety and insomnia) reported the worst HRQoL. Female sex, metabolic disease, and anxiety during the acute COVID-19 phase were associated with long COVID. Observations of long-term symptoms of COVID-19 with decline in HRQoL and integrated research in COVID-19 survivors are warranted.