Persistent symptoms 1.5-6 months after COVID-19 in non-hospitalised subjects: a population-based cohort study

Thorax. 2021 Apr;76(4):405-407. doi: 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2020-216377. Epub 2020 Dec 3.

Abstract

This study assessed symptoms and their determinants 1.5-6 months after symptom onset in non-hospitalised subjects with confirmed COVID-19 until 1 June 2020, in a geographically defined area. We invited 938 subjects; 451 (48%) responded. They reported less symptoms after 1.5-6 months than during COVID-19; median (IQR) 0 (0-2) versus 8 (6-11), respectively (p<0.001); 53% of women and 67% of men were symptom free, while 16% reported dyspnoea, 12% loss/disturbance of smell, and 10% loss/disturbance of taste. In multivariable analysis, having persistent symptoms was associated with the number of comorbidities and number of symptoms during the acute COVID-19 phase.

Keywords: clinical epidemiology; pneumonia; viral infection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • COVID-19 / diagnosis*
  • COVID-19 / epidemiology
  • Comorbidity
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Dyspnea / diagnosis*
  • Dyspnea / epidemiology*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Norway / epidemiology
  • Olfaction Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Olfaction Disorders / epidemiology
  • Olfaction Disorders / physiopathology
  • Outpatients*
  • Pandemics*
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Smell / physiology*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Time Factors