A cross-sectional study on the long-term impact of COVID-19: Symptoms, disability and daily functioning

Abstract

Background: Evidence suggests that survivors of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) experience ongoing symptoms, which is known as long COVID, or post-COVID syndrome. Approximately 100 million people globally are experiencing long COVID symptoms. Post-COVID syndrome (PCS) has debilitating effects on functioning and quality of life, potentially qualifying it as a disability.

Aim: This study aimed to assess the impact of PCS on disability levels using the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS 2.0).

Setting: A digital cross-sectional survey was conducted through online platforms, including Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram.

Methods: A self-developed questionnaire was distributed via social media to collect demographic information, COVID-19 symptoms, and severity. The WHODAS 2.0 instrument was used to measure disability levels. A total of 101 participants completed the online survey.

Results: Most participants were aged between 21 years and 30 years (66%) and were female (60%). The most common acute COVID-19 symptoms were sore throat, fever, and headaches (84%). Post-COVID symptoms included brain fog and tiredness (82%). There was a statistically significant relationship between brain fog, depression, anxiety, and disability summary scores (p < 0.005). The mean WHODAS 2.0 score was 34%, indicating a moderate level of disability.

Conclusion: This study’s results align with previous research, highlighting tiredness and neuropsychiatric symptoms as common among post-COVID patients. Post-COVID syndrome results in moderate disability when assessed using the WHODAS 2.0 with domains of Life Activities and Cognition mostly affected.

Contribution: Post-COVID syndrome should be recognised as a disabling health condition, with rehabilitation prioritised as a critical intervention to enhance functional capacity and quality of life.