The mental and physical effects of Covid-19 can last up to a year and affect jobs

patients with post covid syndrome (also known as “Long Covid”) may have symptoms for at least 12 months after initial infection COVID-19Significantly and negatively affects their cognition, ability to work, participate in physical activities, interact with others, and their quality of life, according to a study conducted by the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in the United States.

NS study, published in this Monday (25) issue of the American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, is one of the first to measure the true harm and its impact. long covid In patients, details the factors that can aggravate their symptoms.

The aim of the study is to help guide policy makers and national and international health agencies in developing strategies and policies to support these patients during their long recovery period, according to the researchers.

Second public health emergency

For senior study author David Putrino, PhD, director of rehabilitation and innovation for the Mount Sinai Health System, post-Covid syndrome is emerging as a “second long-term public health emergency.”

Therefore, he said, it is necessary to understand the weight of this new condition and to develop targeted interventions to help patients participate in daily activities, as well as policies that assist them with their disability and occupational status.

He added: “This study is a troubling reminder of the severity of the debilitating symptoms of prolonged Covid-19, the damage it does to health and well-being, and the fact that without effective treatment, these symptoms appear to persist indefinitely.”

The research team conducted a retrospective study of 156 patients treated at Mount Sinai Post-Covid Care between March 2020 and March 2021. The patients had already contracted Covid-19 and had not been vaccinated at the time of the study.

Patients completed survey questionnaires about persistent symptoms and etiology of exacerbation of symptoms with a mean of 351 days from the first day of infection Patients received the questionnaire after booking their first appointment and time after presentation.

Detailed questions asked about fatigue, shortness of breath and ability to function physical activities Moderate and vigorous intensity Cognitive function Health-related quality of life, worryAnd depressiondisability and your functional status before and after Covid-19.

Frequent symptoms

The most common symptom reported was fatigue (82% of patients), followed by brain fog (67%), headache (60%), sleep disturbances (59%), dizziness (54%).

The researchers performed a more detailed assessment of the severity of self-reported cognitive impairment and found that more than 60% of patients with long-term COVID-19 had some level of cognitive impairment (mild, moderate, or severe), with symptoms including short-term decline. Memory, difficulty in performance. Remember names and issues related to decision making and daily planning.

In total, 135 patients answered questions about their work before and after taking Covid-19, and the number of patients working full time (102) decreased to 55.

The study also looked at factors that patients said they felt worse after contracting Covid-19. The greatest motivator was physical exertion (reported by 86% of patients), followed by Stress (69%), drought (49%) and climate change (37%).

According to Putrino, the results of the survey show that Covid in the long term is a “problem that does not go away” and that, according to him, they will require aggressive public policies to support and protect those infected with the Covid virus in the long term.

“Future research should focus on more detailed monitoring of prolonged Covid symptoms — a better understanding of how they occur and why will be critical in the development of targeted therapies,” Putrino said.