Fatigue presentation, severity, and related outcomes 12 weeks post-COVID-19 hospitalization

BackgroundIncreasing evidence on long-term health outcomes following SARS CoV-2 infection shows post-viral symptoms can persist for months. The aim of the present study was to examine the prevalence and outcome predictors of post-viral fatigue and related symptoms 3 and 6 months following infection. MethodsA prospective cohort of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 (n=88) were recruited from a Post-COVID-19 Respiratory Clinic (PCRC) in Vancouver, Canada to examine predictors of long-term fatigue and substantial fatigue. Multivariable logistic and linear regression analysis were used to examine the relationship between patient predictors (medical history at the time of hospitalization and follow-up patient-reported outcome measures) and the presentation of fatigue and substantial fatigue at 3 and 6 months follow-up. ResultsThe number of patients exhibiting fatigue and substantial fatigue was 58 (67%) and 14 (16%) at 3 months and 47 (60%) and 6 (7%) at 6 months post-infection, respectively. Adjusted analysis revealed the number of pre-existing comorbidities to be associated with fatigue (OR 2.21; 95% CI 1.09-4.49; 0.028) and substantial fatigue (OR 1.73; 95% CI 1.06-2.95; 0.033) at 3 months follow-up. Except for shortness of breath, self-care, and time, all follow-up variables were found to be associated with fatigue and substantial fatigue at 3 months follow-up. ConclusionFatigue and substantial fatigue are common, and decrease from 3 to 6 months; however, a significant number of patients continue to exhibit long-term fatigue at 6 months follow-up. Further research is needed to clarify the causality of viral infections and co-factors in the development and severity of fatigue as a symptom and in meeting post-viral fatigue syndrome or ME/CFS diagnostic criteria.