Thailand Medical Researchers Find That High Long COVID Prevalence Linked To Under 60s And Early Cough!
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Feb 22, 2024 2 months, 5 days, 10 hours, 5 minutes ago
Thailand Medical: Since its emergence in 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic has presented unprecedented challenges to global health systems. Among the numerous complications associated with this viral illness, the phenomenon of long COVID has garnered significant attention. In Thailand, where over 2 million COVID-19 cases had been reported as of May 2021, the prevalence of long COVID among recovered patients reached a staggering 90%. As the pandemic landscape continues to evolve, with the emergence of new variants like Omicron and the rollout of vaccination and antiviral treatments, understanding the dynamics of long COVID becomes increasingly vital. This study covered in this
COVID-19 News report endeavors to shed light on the prevalence, associated factors, and health outcomes of long COVID in Thailand's evolving pandemic context.
T
hailand Medical Researchers Find That High Long COVID
Prevalence Linked To Under 60s And Early Cough
Methodology
Conducted by
Thailand Medical researchers from Chiang Mai University, this observational study enrolled 390 adult patients diagnosed with COVID-19 between January and March 2022. These patients were subsequently followed up via telephone interviews every three months for a duration of one year. The comprehensive data collection process included demographic information, vaccination status, antiviral treatment history, and detailed assessments of physical and mental health post-COVID-19.
Participants were queried about persistent symptoms, mental well-being, sleep disturbances, and overall quality of life using standardized questionnaires.
Results
Among the cohort of 390 participants, with an average age of 31.8, a striking 77.7% exhibited symptoms indicative of long COVID. Fatigue emerged as the most prevalent symptom, reported by 64.1% of participants, followed closely by cough at 43.9%. Mental health assessments revealed that 8.2% of participants experienced symptoms of depression, while 4.1% reported anxiety. Additionally, 33.3% of participants reported poor sleep quality. Multivariable logistic regression analysis highlighted significant associations between long-COVID symptoms and certain demographic and clinical factors. Specifically, individuals under the age of 60 (p = 0.042) and those who initially presented with a cough (p = 0.045) were more likely to experience persistent COVID-19 symptoms. Furthermore, gender-specific analysis revealed that female participants with long COVID were significantly more likely to report symptoms such as headaches (p = 0.001), dizziness (p = 0.007), and brain fog (p = 0.013).
Discussion
The findings of this study provide valuable insights into the ongoing challenges posed by long COVID, even in the context of extensive vaccination and antiviral treatment availability. Despite the implementation of robust public health measures and the introduction of vaccines and therapeutics, the prevalence of long COVID remains alarmi
ngly high, particularly among individuals under the age of 60 and those who initially presented with a cough. These results underscore the complex and multifaceted nature of long COVID, with both physical and mental health implications requiring comprehensive attention and support.
Additionally, the gender-specific differences observed in symptom presentation highlight the need for further research to elucidate the underlying factors contributing to these disparities.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this study highlights the enduring impact of long COVID on individuals' health and well-being in Thailand's evolving pandemic landscape. Despite significant progress in vaccination and treatment efforts, the prevalence of persistent COVID-19 symptoms remains substantial, particularly among certain demographic groups. Moving forward, it is imperative that healthcare providers, policymakers, and researchers collaborate to address the multifaceted challenges posed by long COVID and develop targeted interventions to support affected individuals. By leveraging a comprehensive understanding of the factors contributing to long COVID and its associated health outcomes, we can work towards mitigating its impact and improving the overall resilience of our communities in the face of future health crises.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed Journal of Clinical Medicine.
https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/13/5/1208
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