Persistent symptoms among post‐COVID‐19 survivors: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Abstract

Background

Single studies support the presence of several post-COVID-19 symptoms; however, there is no evidence for the synthesis of symptoms.

Objective

We attempt to provide an overview of the persistent symptoms that post-COVID-19 patients encounter, as well as the duration of these symptoms to help them plan their rehabilitation.

Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Participants

A total of 16 studies involving 8756 patients post-COVID-19 were included.

Methods

The CINAHL, PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched from 2019 to August 2021. Observational studies that reported data on post-COVID-19 symptoms were included. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal for Observational Studies. We included medium- to high-quality studies. We used a random-effects model for the meta-analytical pooled prevalence of each post-COVID-19 symptom, and I ² statistics for heterogeneity.

Results

From the 2481 studies identified, 16 met the inclusion criteria. The sample included 7623 hospitalised and 1133 non-hospitalised patients. We found the most prevalent symptoms were fatigue and dyspnea with a pooled prevalence ranging from 42% (27%–58%). Other post-COVID-19 symptoms included sleep disturbance 28% (14%–45%), cough 25% (10%–44%), anosmia/ageusia 24% (7%–47%), fever 21% (4%–47%), myalgia 17% (2%–41%), chest pain 11% (5%–20%), and headache 9% (2%–20%). In addition to physical symptoms, anxiety/depression was also prevalent 27% (8%–53%).

Conclusions

Fatigue and dyspnea were the most prevalent post-COVID-19 symptoms and experienced up to 12 months.

Relevance to clinical practice

Multiple persistent symptoms are still experienced until 12 months of post-Covid 19. This meta-analysis should provide some awareness to nurses to highlights the unmet healthcare needs of post-COVID-19 patients. Long-term monitoring for the evaluation and treatment of symptoms and conditions and rehabilitation programs should be conducted.

Association between physical performance and bone mass in community-dwelling postmenopausal Japanese women: The Unzen study

by Masahiro Suiko, Satoshi Mizukami, Kazuhiko Arima, Hiroki Nakashima, Takayuki Nishimura, Yoshihito Tomita, Yasuyo Abe, Natsumi Tanaka, Yuzo Honda, Michiko Kojima, Tetsuji Okawachi, Maiko Hasegawa, Youko Sou, Ritsu Tsujimoto, Mitsuo Kanagae, Makoto Osaki, Kiyoshi Aoyagi

Low bone mass is an independent risk factor for osteoporotic fractures. We examined the association between physical performance and bone mass using quantitative ultrasound in community-dwelling postmenopausal Japanese women.

We conducted a cross-sectional study on 524 community-dwelling postmenopausal Japanese women who were not being administered osteoporosis medications. Physical performance was assessed on the basis of grip strength, chair stand time, and functional reach. The stiffness index was measured as a quantitative ultrasound parameter for heel bone mass.

Physical performance, assessed by grip strength, chair stand time, and functional reach, and the stiffness index significantly decreased with age (both p Conclusions

Physical performance was significantly associated with heel bone mass in community-dwelling postmenopausal Japanese women.