Mahak Chauhan, MD, Ihechiluru Nzeako, MD, Feng Li, MS, Paul Thuluvath, MD, FRCP Mercy Medical Center, Baltimore, MD
Introduction: Long-term symptoms following COVID-19 have been reported, and are often referred to as post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (PACS) or ‘Long COVID’. We assessed the prevalence of long-term symptoms, especially gastrointestinal symptoms, in patients who tested positive for COVID-19 in comparison to a contemporary control group who had flu-like symptoms but tested negative for the COVID-19 infection.
Methods: In this single-center, longitudinal prospective study, we randomly selected 320 adult patients who were screened for SARS-CoV-2 infection using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing between March 13, 2020, and May 1, 2020. A follow-up telephone survey was conducted between December 1, 2020, and January 31, 2021, a median of 270 days after the index testing. The survey assessed long-term symptoms, especially gastrointestinal symptoms, and impact on physical, mental and socioeconomic outcomes.
Results: 221 (69%) of 320 patients responded to our telephone survey; of those 112/160 were COVID-19 positive (cases) and 109/160 were COVID-19 negative (controls). The median follow-up time after initial testing was 270 days (240-300 days). At the time of index testing, 117 patients (53%; 70% cases and 36% controls) had at least three symptoms. At follow-up (10 months), 47 of 221 patients (21%; 36% cases and 6% controls) had at least one persistent symptom. Most common were shortness of breath (20, [18%]) and cough (13, [12%]) among the COVID 19 cohort and headache (3, [3%]) among the controls. Amongst the assessed gastrointestinal symptoms, the percent changes were not significantly different between cases and controls. Six of 60 (10%) cases with loss of taste or smell at baseline had persistent symptoms at follow-up (Figure A). A significant limitation in the activity of daily living (ADL) was reported among cases (20% vs 2%, p < 0.001) compared to the control group. 33 patients (21, [19%] in cases 12 [11%] controls, p=ns) reported either reduced or worse QoL in comparison to baseline. Time to return to work was longer among cases, and the COVID infection had a higher financial impact (38% vs. 28%, p=ns).
Discussion: At a 10-month follow-up, our study showed that while shortness of breath and cough persisted, most gastrointestinal symptoms, with the exception of loss of taste or smell, had resolved in comparison to the control group.
Figure: Figure A: Symptoms before testing for COVID-19 and persistence of symptoms after 10 months follow-up in COVID-19 group.
Disclosures:
Mahak Chauhan indicated no relevant financial relationships.
Ihechiluru Nzeako indicated no relevant financial relationships.
Feng Li indicated no relevant financial relationships.
Paul Thuluvath: Abbvie, Allergan, Bayer – Grant/Research Support. Bristol Myers Squibb, Cara Therapeutics – Grant/Research Support. Celgene, Cirius Therapeutics, Conatus – Grant/Research Support. Cymabay, Dova, Eisai, Eli Lilly, Elobix – Grant/Research Support. Enanta, Enyo Pharma, Exelixis – Grant/Research Support. Gilead, AbbVie, Eisai – Other Financial or Material Support, Speaking and Teaching. Gilead, HighTide, Intercept, Mallinckrodt – Grant/Research Support. Mallinckrodt – Consultant. Novo Nordisk, Pfizer, Sillajen,Targ – Grant/Research Support.
Mahak Chauhan, MD, Ihechiluru Nzeako, MD, Feng Li, MS, Paul Thuluvath, MD, FRCP. P0394 - Long-term Symptoms After COVID-19 Compared to a Control Group, ACG 2021 Annual Scientific Meeting Abstracts. Las Vegas, Nevada: American College of Gastroenterology.
