Health-related quality of life in long COVID-19 in context of symptom type

Aim: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is complex multisystem disease. After 4 weeks of persistent symptoms, it is termed as Long COVID-19. Long COVID-19 causes a decrease in health-related quality of life (HRQoL). In this study, it was aimed to determine which symptoms were associated with lower HRQoL in Long COVID-19 in this study. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary research hospital. Patients who have positive RT-PCR results at least 28 days and at most 180 days ago were selected for the study. Online survey was applied to 266 patients who had positive PCR test results for COVID-19. The EuroQoL 5D-3L scale was used to measure the HRQoL as a dependent variable. Socio-demographic features and symptoms were assessed by the survey as independent variables. Due to heteroscedasticity, a robust standard error regression analysis was conducted to make inferences on the effects of persistent symptoms on HRQoL. Results: Of the total 266 participants, 163 were females (63.3%). The mean age was 41.2 +/- 11.8 years. One hundred forty-two patients (53.3%) did not report any ongoing symptom. Female gender and lower education level as socio-demographic variables, visual problems and myalgia as persistent symptoms were identified as risk factors for reduced HRQoL in Long COVID-19 patients. Discussion: Long COVID-19 patients experience lower levels of HRQoL, especially those with visual problems and/or myalgia. Interventions to raise the HRQoL of Long COVID-19 patients should first target visual problems and myalgia.