Discussion
myalgia, cognitive impairment, fatigue, Memory loss, frustration, infection, tiredness, Confusion
DISEASE, CHRONIC DISEASES, COVID-19 INFECTION, LONG COVID, INFECTION, SECONDARY, REGRESSION
This is an analysis of secondary data from an RCT conducted in Spain with 100 Long COVID patients with a diagnostic test for COVID-19 performed 12 weeks or more ago and regularly attended by primary helth care. In this way, it has been tried to obtain scientific evidence that helps to characterize clinical picture of Long COVID patients, as well as to identify factors associated with quality of life.After becoming infected and the subsequent development of the disease, it has been determined that Long COVID patients have low levels of quality of life. Our study has identified low levels in all the dimensions evaluated in the SF-36 questionnaire, although with great variability, as expressed by the wide interquartile ranges (IQR), especially in the dimensions of physical and social function. In other words, even though the median of the eight subscales is low, there are large differences between the baseline status of patients with lower and higher scores. This could express variability of profiles, making it difficult to identify the effects of the disease. Greater variability is observed in mental health than in physical health of Long COVID patients. Along the same lines as our results, there are several studies that have determined a reduction in all vital areas after COVID-19 infection as for the most part, the participants presented persistent symptoms [The results of this study have been able to describe a representative profile of the Long COVID patient. Our sample is made up mostly of women. This is due because the impact of this disease on women is considerably greater [Regarding some socio-demographic variables that make up the Long COVID patient profile, our linear regression model has identified that a higher educational level is a predictor of worse mental health in the SF-36. Possibly, Long COVID patients with a higher educational level know about the lack of available treatments and the ignorance of health professionals. This uncertainty causes frustration among Long COVID patients, thus reducing their mental health, as a previous qualitative study indicated [Also, our bivariant analysis conclude that the number of persistent symptoms has a negative impact on their health i.e. the higher the number, the worse physical and mental health data. The patients in this study present 16.5 symptoms on average, with an intensity of 7-8/10. The most frequent persistent symptoms are tiredness and fatigue (98%), short attention span and concentration (89%) and myalgia (85%). These results seem to be common among those affected, being in the same line as previous evidence [Furthermore, the results of the MoCA questionnaire verify the cognitive impairment suffered by these patients. Among the most persistent self-reported symptoms are: Short attention and concentration span (89%), Memory loss (81%) and Confusion or brain fog (71%), accompanied by neurological symptoms. These symptoms make it difficult or impossible to carry out routine activities of life, from cooking to driving, and therefore diminishing their quality of life [Our results have also established a significant correlation between worse health literacy (HLS-EUQ16) and worse physical health in the SF-36. The low level of health literacy in this sample would be contradictory to the possibility of having health professionals, given their high rates of infection [On the other hand, correlation analyzes have concluded that physical functioning (Sit to Stand Test), self-efficacy (GSES-12) and patient activation (PAM) have the potential to promote good physical and mental health among Long COVID patients. A sedentary lifestyle contributes to the mortality of the world population, while regular and moderate physical exercise produces beneficial effects on people’s health, such as the prevention of chronic diseases and increased life expectancy [