Perceived quality of life and associated factors in long COVID syndrome among older Brazilians: A cross-sectional study

Aims and objectivesThis paper aims to: (a) determine the personal, sociodemographic, clinical, behavioural, and social characteristics of older Brazilians with clinical evidence of long COVID; (b) evaluate perceived quality of life and determine its association with personal, sociodemographic, behavioural, clinical and social variables; and (c) assess significant predictors of high perceived QoL. BackgroundGiven the inherent vulnerabilities of the ageing process, the older people are an at-risk group for both contagion of SARS-CoV-2 and the perpetuation of residual symptoms after infection, the so-called long COVID or post-COVID syndrome. DesignA cross-sectional survey design using the STROBE checklist. MethodsBrazilian older people with long COVID syndrome (n = 403) completed a phone survey measuring personal, sociodemographic, behavioural, clinical, and social characteristics, and perceived Quality of Life (QoL). Data were collected from June 2021-March 2022. A multiple linear regression model was performed to identify salient variables associated with high perceived QoL. ResultsThe mean age of participants was 67.7 +/- 6.6 years old. The results of the multivariate regression model showed that race, home ownership, daily screen time, musculoskeletal and anxiety symptoms, and work situation were the significant predictors of QoL among COVID-19 survivors. ConclusionsKnowledge about the persistence of physical, emotional, and social symptoms of COVID-19 can help nurses and other healthcare providers to improve the management of survivors, bringing benefits to the whole society. Relevance to clinical practiceGiven the novelty of long-COVID and its heterogeneous trajectory, interventions focusing on the repercussions and requirements unique to more vulnerable older persons should be developed and these aspects should be included in public health recommendations and policymakers' concerns. Patient or Public ContributionNo patient or public contribution was required to design, to outcome measures or undertake this research. Patients/members of the public contributed only to the data collection.