Symptom Persistence and QOL Impacts Following COVID-19 Infection

26 Jan Symptom Persistence and QOL Impacts Following COVID-19 Infection

In the United States (US), reports document over 47 million cases and more than 760,000 deaths, costing nearly $17 trillion in 2020 (Centers for Disease Control [CDC], 2020; Cutler & Summers, 2020). While the magnitude of the problem remains unknown, knowing the sheer number of individuals who have or will become infected with SARS-CoV-2 may depict the profound public health impacts that are to follow. Although most recover from acute COVID-19 infection within three weeks, emerging reports have recognized that many patients continue to suffer from persistent post-infectious symptoms. The prevalence of persistent post-COVID symptoms is estimated to occur in about 70% of post-hospitalized patients and 10% of those patients within the general population (Carifi et al., 2020; Greenhalgh et al., 2020; Halpin et al., 2021). Reports of post-COVID-19 conditions are found among all population age groups and underlying health conditions; however, increasing reports find older adults and those with chronic medical conditions in higher prevalence (Tenforde et al., 2020). Over the last two years, the scientific and medical communities have placed unprecedented efforts in uncovering and treating the acute nature of COVID-19; however, the long-term persistent symptoms and continued impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) remain understood.

Understanding the impact of this virus goes beyond the clinical outcome measures of mortality and morbidity. It encompasses the descriptive understanding of persistent symptoms and self-reported HRQoL impacts that adults experience following an acute COVID-19 infection. By understanding this new and evolving phenomenon through the lens of those directly impacted, we can design meaningful interventions and improve health outcomes.

Adult patients (18 years or older) with either a nasal or nasopharyngeal laboratory-confirmed positive SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR or the presence of IgM antibodies between June 1, 2020, and November 31, 2021, are invited to participate. Participant data obtained through a Qualtrics survey will take about 10-15 minutes to complete. The survey will ask participants to identify their onset and timing of symptoms and how these impact current HRQoL. The survey will not collect direct patient identifiers, but participants are asked age range, gender, race, zip code, height/weight, past medical history, and COVID-19 vaccination status. Collecting this data will help us describe which patients may be at the highest risk of developing long-term COVID-19 symptoms and HRQoL impacts.

https://seattleux.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_a90Cmlh8x3Chtsy

Participant Eligibility

Adults (18 years of age or older) with a nasal or nasopharyngeal laboratory-confirmed positive SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR result or presence of IgM antibodies between June 2020- November 31, 2021.

Contact

Mallory Dupriest
(504) 439-0414