文章基本信息

标题：Two months follow-up of patients with non-critical COVID-19 in Cape Town, South Africa
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作者：Andrea S. Mendelsohn ; Nikhil Nath ; Angela De Sá 等
期刊名称：South African Family Practice
印刷版ISSN：2078-6190
电子版ISSN：2078-6204
出版年度：2022
卷号：64
期号：1
页码：e1-e6
DOI：10.4102/safp.v64i1.5429
语种：English
出版社：Taylor and Francis Ltd
摘要：Background: Approximately 10% of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients will experience long COVID. There is no study of long COVID in mild COVID-19 patients in South Africa. This study aimed, firstly, to describe the prevalence of long COVID in mild COVID-19 patients in Cape Town, and, secondly, to document the impact of COVID-19 on patients’ well-being, work, and their access to long COVID treatment. Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, a random sample of adults diagnosed with mild COVID-19 were called two months post-diagnosis. The participants telephonically completed a standardised survey describing their long COVID symptoms, missed workdays, and health-seeking behaviour. Medical records were reviewed for comorbidities, original COVID-19 symptoms, and treatment. Results: It was found that 60% of patients with mild COVID-19 had ≥ 1 long COVID symptom, while 35% had ≥ 3 ongoing symptoms for two months. Dyspnoea and fatigue were the most common symptoms. The findings revealed that 52% of employed patients missed work and 25% of patients self-reported non-recovery from their COVID-19. Moreover, 24% of patients consulted a clinician for long COVID, but only 7% of patients received long COVID care in the public sector. Of the 17% of patients requiring additional help for long COVID, 56% were interested in assistance by text message or telephonic consultation. Conclusion: Over a half of mild COVID-19 patients experienced at least one long COVID symptom for two months and nearly 20% needed additional medical treatment. Very few patients utilised the public sector for long COVID treatment. There is a great need for long COVID treatment in public healthcare services and patients are receptive to remote care.