Informing the management of the post-COVID condition: insights from the Western Australian experience comparing those who tested positive and negative to early COVID-19 strains.

Kristen Grove; Vinicius Cavalheri; Hui Jun Chih; Varsha Natarajan; Megan Harrold; Sheeraz Mohd; Elizabeth Hurn; Lisa Van der Lee; Andrew Maiorana; Jessica Tearne; Carol Watson; Jane Pearce; Angela Jacques; Ann White; Caitlin Vicary; Caroline Roffman; Emma-Leigh Synnott; Ian Suttie; Ivan Lin; Jade Larsson; Louise Naylor; Linda Woodhouse; Paul Gittings; Peta Winship; Robyn Timms; Sheldon Wulff; Tracy Hebden-Todd; Dale Edgar

Just Accepted

This article has been peer reviewed and accepted for publication. It is in production and has not been edited, so may differ from the final published form.

Informing the management of the post-COVID condition: insights from the Western Australian experience comparing those who tested positive and negative to early COVID-19 strains.

Kristen Grove, Vinicius Cavalheri , Hui Jun Chih, Varsha Natarajan, Megan Harrold, Sheeraz Mohd, Elizabeth Hurn, Lisa Van der Lee, Andrew Maiorana, Jessica Tearne, Carol Watson, Jane Pearce, Angela Jacques, Ann White, Caitlin Vicary, Caroline Roffman, Emma-Leigh Synnott, Ian Suttie, Ivan Lin, Jade Larsson, Louise Naylor, Linda Woodhouse, Paul Gittings, Peta Winship, Robyn Timms, Sheldon Wulff, Tracy Hebden-Todd, Dale Edgar

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To compare the relative physical recovery and symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 infection between groups confirmed positive or negative to early strains of COVID-19. METHODS: A prospective, longitudinal cohort study compared outcomes of metropolitan adults PCR-tested for COVID-19 between March and November 2020 in Western Australia. Control matching was attempted: inpatients (gender, age) and ambulatory clinic (gender, age, asthma, chronic pulmonary disease). One-year follow up involved three repeated measures: physical function (grip strength, 1-minute sit-to-stand) and patient reported outcomes (Fatigue Severity Scale, modified Medical Research Council dyspnoea scale, Euroqol-5D-5L). RESULTS: 344 participants were recruited (154 COVID+, age 54±18yr, 75 females [49%]); 190 COVID-, age 52±16yr, 67 females [35%]) prior to national vaccination roll-out. No between-group differences in physical function measures were evident at any time point. Fatigue (OR 6.62, 95% CI 2.74 to 15.97) and dyspnoea (OR 2.21, 95% CI 1.14 to 4.30) were higher in the COVID+ group at second assessment (T2). On Euroqol-5D-5L, no between-group differences were evident in the physical function domains of self-care, mobility or usual activities at any time point. However, COVID+ participants were less likely to report an absence of anxiety or depression symptoms at T2 (OR 0.41, 95% CI 0.19 to 0.89). CONCLUSIONS: Neither statistical nor clinically meaningful differences in physical function were evident between COVID+ and COVID- participants to 12-months after acute illness. Symptoms of fatigue, dyspnoea, anxiety or depression were more prevalent in the COVID+ group at ~8 months after illness with between-group differences no longer evident at 1-year.

AH23271 Accepted 10 July 2024