Original English article by Senior Research Scientist Muto et al. ‘Post COVID-19 condition in hospitalised survivors after one year of infection during the Alpha- and Delta-variant dominant waves in Japan: COVID-19 Recovery Study Ⅱ’ is now available in Journal of Epidemiology.

A total of 1,040 patients aged 20 years or older who contracted COVID-19 between April and September 2021 (the so-called fourth and fifth waves) and were hospitalised and discharged alive from 20 collaborating institutions were included in the study. Approximately 1 year after infection, a self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted to analyze post-illness symptoms and associated factors and their association with mental health.

• At approximately 1 year after infection: 45% of those with COVID-19 post-illness symptoms
• Main symptoms: shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle weakness, poor concentration, sleep disturbances, brain fog
• Post-illness symptomatic patients: about 4 times more likely to have symptoms of anxiety and depression than those without post-illness symptoms
• Factors associated with post-illness symptoms at 1 year: age 40+, female, COVID-19 severity at admission, past smoker, and infection during delta epidemic

 

Article URL： https://doi.org/10.2188/jea.JE20240179