Prevalence and pattern of Post Covid-19 symptoms in recovered patients of Delhi: A Population-Based study

Background Post-coronavirus disease (COVID) is widely reported but the data of Post COVID-19 after infection with the Omicron variant is limited. This prospective study was conducted to determine the prevalence, pattern, and duration of symptoms related to Covid-19 recovered patients. Methods: Adults (>18 years old) in 11 districts of Delhi who had recovered from Covid-19 were followed up at 3 months and 6 months post-recovery. Results: The study found that the participants had a mean age of 42.07 years, with a standard deviation of 14.89. Additionally, a significant proportion of the participants (79.7%) experienced post-Covid symptoms. The participants elicited a history of Joint Pain (36%), Persistent dry cough (35.7%), anxiousness (28.4%) and shortness of breath (27.1%). The other symptoms reported were persistent fatigue (21.6%), persistent headache (20%), forgetfulness (19.7%) and weakness in limbs (18.6%). The longest duration of symptom was observed in participants reporting anxiousness (138.75 ±54.14) followed by fatigue (137.57±48.33), shortness of breath (131.89±60.21) and joint pain/swelling (131.59±58.76). During the first follow-up, 2.2% of participants had an abnormal ECG reading, while no abnormalities were reported during the second follow-up. Additionally, 4.06% of participants had abnormal chest X-ray findings during the first follow-up, with this number decreasing to 2.16% during the second follow-up. Conclusion: Our study concluded that the clinical symptoms persist in participants until 6 months and a multi-system involvement is seen in the post-COVID period. Thus, the findings necessitate long-term, regular follow-ups. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. ### Funding Statement The research was supported by the Indian Council of Medical Research, Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. Specifically, the funding was provided through grant No.CTU/Cohort study/17/1025/2021/ECD. We are grateful for their support in helping us advance our study and improve our understanding of the important issues at hand. ### Author Declarations I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained. Yes The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below: The Institutional Ethics Committee, Maulana Azad Medical College and Associated Hospitals, New Delhi issued approval vide letter no F.1/IEC/MAMC/87/05/2021/No526). All the eligible study participants were informed about the purpose, risks and benefits of participating in the study. They were assured of complete confidentiality and were explained the option of withdrawing from the study at any point in time if they desire to do so. Written and informed consent was obtained from all the study participants. Participants were referred to Lok Nayak Hospital for medical/teleconsultation and follow-ups. I confirm that all necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived, and that any patient/participant/sample identifiers included were not known to anyone (e.g., hospital staff, patients or participants themselves) outside the research group so cannot be used to identify individuals. Yes I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance). Yes I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines, such as any relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material, if applicable. Yes