Journal Article Epublish 41 citations
PubMed: 36769389 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12030741
Two-Years Follow-Up of Symptoms and Return to Work in Complex Post-COVID-19 Patients.
J Clin Med 12(3)
Authors: Erika Van Wambeke, Cécile Bezler, Anne-Marie Kasprowicz, Anne-Laure Charles, Emmanuel Andres, Bernard Geny
Affiliations
- Physiology and Functional Exploration Service, University Hospital of Strasbourg, NHC, 1 Place de l'Hôpital, CEDEX, 67091 Strasbourg, France.
- Team 3072 "Mitochondria, Oxidative Stress and Muscle Protection", Translational Medicine Federation of Strasbourg (FMTS), Faculty of Medicine, University of Strasbourg, 11 Rue Humann, 67000 Strasbourg, France.
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Strasbourg, 1 Place de l'Hôpital, CEDEX, 67091 Strasbourg, France.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
Many COVID-19 patients present with severe long-lasting symptoms. They might benefit from a coordination team to manage such complex situations, but late efficacy still needs to be determined.
POPULATION AND METHODS
Out of 105 contacts, 45 patients had two phone consultations separated by personalized support 15 and 22 months, respectively, after COVID infection. Self-reported symptoms, feelings of improvement and ability to return to work allowed us to determine the efficacy of the therapeutic strategy proposed.
RESULTS
Unlike what was expected, many post-COVID-19 patients directly contacted the coordination team and had significant pre-existing comorbidities. Despite exercise, respiratory, olfactory rehabilitations, cognition/speech therapy and/or psychological support, the more frequent self-reported symptoms (fatigue, neurocognitive disorders, muscles and joint pain) did not resolve. However, dyspnea, anxiety and chest pain were significantly reduced. Finally, 2/3 of the patients felt some degree of improvement and returned to work either partially or fully, but 1/3 remained complaining of symptoms and out of work as late as 22 months after COVID occurrence. All patients greatly appreciated the second phone consultation.
CONCLUSIONS
In such complex situations, besides early and adapted rehabilitations and psychological help allowing better symptom management, relatively simple actions such as a phone call might be very useful to reduce patients' feelings of abandonment.
MeSH
Infections, Signs And Symptoms, Pain, Employment, Therapeutics, Rehabilitation, Return To Work, Covid-19, Sars-Cov-2
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- "A bit of a cough, tired, not very resilient - is that already Long-COVID?" perceptions and experiences of GPs with Long-COVID in year three of the pandemic. a qualitative interview study in Austria. BMC Public Health, 2024
- Fatigue and cognitive dysfunction in previously hospitalized patients with COVID-19: A 1-year follow-up. PLoS One, 2024
- Temporal changes in the risk of six-month post-COVID symptoms: a national population-based cohort study. Am J Epidemiol, 2025
- Occupational differences in the prevalence and severity of long-COVID: analysis of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection Survey. Occup Environ Med, 2023
- Work ability and return-to-work of patients with post-COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Public Health, 2024
- Health-related adverse work outcomes associated with post COVID-19 condition: a cross-sectional study. BMJ Public Health, 2025