Long COVID Clinical Features in Northern Taiwan: Insights from a Single Medical Center Study

Abstract

Background: Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection (PASC), or long COVID, encompasses persistent symptoms following acute COVID-19, impacting quality of life. This study delineates the epidemiology, clinical presentation, and quality of life effects of long COVID in Northern Taiwan using data from the 2021 COVID-19 home quarantine telemedicine care system.

Methods: A prospective cohort of 625 PCR-confirmed COVID-19 patients, diagnosed between April and October 2021, was monitored for 3-6 months post-recovery. We assessed persistent symptoms, quality of life via the EQ-5D questionnaire, and risk factors including age, sex, vaccination status, household clusters, and hospitalization.

Results: Among participants, 22 % reported malaise, 14 % dyspnea, and 7 % cough as persistent symptoms. Older age (≥65 years) and hospitalization were associated with greater quality of life impairment across EQ-5D domains (OR = 2.72, 95 % CI: 1.60-4.63, p < 0.001). Vaccinated individuals (7 %) showed a non-significant trend toward better EQ-5D scores (p = 0.116, 95 % CI: 0.05 to 0.20).

Conclusions: Older age and hospitalization significantly predict long-term quality of life impairment in long COVID. Targeted interventions for these groups and robust post-recovery support are essential. Limitations include reliance on self-reported data, a low vaccination rate (7 %), a 3-6 months follow-up, and a single-center design, which may limit generalizability. Multi-center studies with longer follow-ups and objective biomarkers are needed to enhance further understanding.

Keywords: COVID-19; Epidemiology; Long COVID; PASC; Quality of life; Symptomatology; Taiwan; Vaccination.