Definition of the Post-COVID syndrome using a symptom-based Post-COVID score in a prospective, multi-center, cross-sectoral cohort of the German National Pandemic Cohort Network (NAPKON)

Publikation: Beitrag in FachzeitschriftForschungsartikelBeigetragenBegutachtung

Abstract

Purpose: The objective examination of the Post-COVID syndrome (PCS) remains difficult due to heterogeneous definitions and clinical phenotypes. The aim of the study was to verify the functionality and correlates of a recently developed PCS score. Methods: The PCS score was applied to the prospective, multi-center cross-sectoral cohort (in- and outpatients with SARS-CoV-2 infection) of the "National Pandemic Cohort Network (NAPKON, Germany)". Symptom assessment and patient-reported outcome measure questionnaires were analyzed at 3 and 12 months (3/12MFU) after diagnosis. Scores indicative of PCS severity were compared and correlated to demographic and clinical characteristics as well as quality of life (QoL, EQ-5D-5L). Results: Six hundred three patients (mean 54.0 years, 60.6% male, 82.0% hospitalized) were included. Among those, 35.7% (215) had no and 64.3% (388) had mild, moderate, or severe PCS. PCS severity groups differed considering sex and pre-existing respiratory diseases. 3MFU PCS worsened with clinical severity of acute infection (p =.011), and number of comorbidities (p =.004). PCS severity was associated with poor QoL at the 3MFU and 12MFU (p <.001). Conclusion: The PCS score correlated with patients’ QoL and demonstrated to be instructive for clinical characterization and stratification across health care settings. Further studies should critically address the high prevalence, clinical relevance, and the role of comorbidities. Trail registration number: The cohort is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov under NCT04768998.

Details

OriginalspracheEnglisch
Seiten (von - bis)1813-1829
Seitenumfang17
FachzeitschriftInfection
Jahrgang52
Ausgabenummer5
PublikationsstatusVeröffentlicht - Okt. 2024
Peer-Review-StatusJa

Externe IDs

PubMed 38587752
ORCID /0000-0002-0320-4223/work/171065429
ORCID /0000-0003-3953-3253/work/171065909

Schlagworte

Ziele für nachhaltige Entwicklung

Schlagwörter

  • Definition, Long-COVID, Multi-center prospective cohort study, Patient reported outcome measures, Post-COVID, Quality of life, Score