Life after COVID-19: analysis of long-term symptoms based on survey results

Background. Post-covid syndrome (Long COVID) remains a serious medical and social problem, as its symptoms can persist for months or even years after the acute phase of COVID-19. According to the WHO, up to 6 % of those who have been ill experience Long COVID, and according to meta-analyses, up to 45 %. This creates a significant burden on the healthcare system and requires new approaches to the diagnosis and rehabilitation of patients, especially among the able-bodied population. Objective. To analyze the features of long-term symptoms in patients who have had COVID-19, based on survey data, in order to identify new clinical phenomena, determine the frequency and duration of their manifestations, as well as to study the influence of demographic and clinical factors on the formation of post-covid syndrome.
Materials and methods. The study was conducted among 220 residents of Yaroslavl in 2024 (82.7 % women, average age 33.8 years) using an electronic questionnaire. The presence of chronic diseases, vaccination status, course and duration of symptoms were assessed. Methods of descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and significance level p <0.05 were used.
Results. The majority of participants retained various symptoms: fatigue (83.8 %), cognitive impairment (85 %), insomnia (35 %), depressive states (52.4 %), hair loss (52.1 %). Sensory disturbances were often noted (85 % — loss/distortion of sense of smell and taste), selective aversion to foods, new food allergies (4 %), atypical skin manifestations (6.8–11.4 %), unusual drug reactions (13.6 %). The symptoms were often wave-like (65 %) and persisted for more than three months. Vaccination reduced the severity of the acute phase, but did not always prevent Long COVID. The risk factors were chronic diseases, female sex, autoimmune and metabolic disorders.
Conclusions. Long COVID is a multisystem condition that requires an individual approach to diagnosis and rehabilitation. It is recommended to pay special attention to sensory, nutritional and skin disorders, as well as psychoemotional support for patients. The data obtained can serve as a basis for the development of new clinical guidelines for the management of patients after COVID-19.

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