Longitudinal study of changes observed in quality of life, psychological state cognition and pulmonary and functional capacity after COVID‐19 infection: A six‐ to seven‐month prospective cohort

Abstract

Aims

To investigate the health-related quality of life (HRQoL), symptoms, psychological and cognitive state and pulmonary and physical function of nonhospitalised COVID-19 patients at long-term, and to identify factors to predict a poor HRQoL in this follow-up.

Background

Studies have focused on persistent symptoms of hospitalised COVID-19 patients in the medium term. Thus, long-term studies of nonhospitalised patients are urgently required.

Design

A longitudinal cohort study.

Methods

In 102 nonhospitalised COVID-19 patients, we collected symptoms at 3 months (baseline) and at 6–7 months (follow-up) from diagnosis (dyspnoea, fatigue/muscle weakness and chest/joint pain), HRQoL, psychological state, cognitive function, pulmonary and physical function. This study adhered to the STROBE statement.

Results

HRQoL was impaired in almost 60% of the sample and remained impaired 6–7 months. At 3 months, more than 60% had impaired physical function (fatigue/muscle weakness and reduced leg and inspiratory muscle strength). About 40%–56% of the sample showed an altered psychological state (post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety/depression), cognitive function impairment and dyspnoea. At 6–7-months, only a slight improvement in dyspnoea and physical and cognitive function was observed, with a very high proportion of the sample (29%–55%) remained impaired. Impaired HRQoL at 6–7 months was predicted with 82.4% accuracy (86.7% sensitivity and 83.3% specificity) by the presence at 3 months of muscle fatigue/muscle weakness (OR = 5.7 (1.8–18.1)), PTSD (OR = 6.0 (1.7–20.7)) and impaired HRQoL (OR = 11.7 (3.7–36.8)).

Conclusion

A high proportion of nonhospitalised patients with COVID-19 experience an impaired HRQoL, cognitive and psychological function at long-term. HRQoL, PTSD and dyspnoea at 3 months can identify the majority of patients with COVID-19 who will have impaired quality of life at long-term.

Relevance to clinical practice

Treatments aimed at improving psychological state and reducing the fatigue/muscle weakness of post-COVID-19 patients could be necessary to prevent the patients’ HRQoL from being impaired at 6–7 months after their reported recovery.

Mejoras en las intervenciones asistenciales durante el periodo de transición a la vida extrauterina neonatal

Objetivo y Metodología: Este trabajo engloba una completa revisión de la literatura crítica sobre las investigaciones más relevantes y actuales en la evolución y postura de las diferentes estrategias en la reanimación neonatal. Resultados principales: Es necesario instaurar un soporte de transición al neonato en el periodo de adaptación, la demora en el pinzamiento del cordón umbilical será de al menos 1 minuto, la temperatura óptima en el neonato oscila entre 36,5-37,5ºC. El soporte ventilatorio en los prematuros, debería utilizarse inicialmente o bien aire o bien concentraciones bajas de oxígeno (hasta 30%). Si a pesar de una ventilación efectiva la oxigenación, siguiera siendo inaceptable, debería considerarse la utilización de concentraciones de oxígeno más elevadas. Conclusión principal: Los esfuerzos para mejorar la secuencia en la actuación ante una reanimación en los diferentes hospitales de forma consensuada y reducción de la incidencia de asfixia perinatal y morbi-mortalidad neonatal.

Evidencia empírica de la miel como tratamiento eficaz. En la dehiscecia de sutura tras vulvectomía radical

Rev Enferm;41(2): 96-100, feb. 2018. tab, ilus. [Artículo]