Burden of respiratory morbidity amongst survivors of COVID-19 infection in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria

Oluwafemi Tunde Ojo 1 * , Olufunke Olayinka Adeyeye 1, Adeola Ajibare 1, Temitope Fapohunda 1
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1 Department of Medicine, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria
* Corresponding Author
J CLIN MED KAZ, Volume 20, Issue 3, pp. 14-18. https://doi.org/10.23950/jcmk/13242
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ABSTRACT

Background: COVID-19 disease is associated with long-term effects in some survivors. There exists dearth of information about the burden of respiratory morbidity among COVID-19 survivors in Nigeria. This study was designed to identify the common respiratory symptoms of long COVID-19 to educate and increase index of suspicion of healthcare practitioners caring for such patient for optimal care.
Material and methods: This is a cross-sectional survey that took place at the adult pulmonology clinic of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital Ikeja. The individuals who were treated for PCR confirmed COVID-19 infection referred for unresolved symptoms 4 weeks following discharge that consented were recruited. A proforma was used to obtain information on socio-demographic characteristics, medical history, and comorbidities. The degree of dyspnea was assessed using MRC(Medical Research Council) dyspnea scale while the functional capacity of patients was assessed using Six-minute walk test (6mwt). The analysis of the data collected was done using descriptive statistics, and chi-square was used to test for association.
Results: Ninety-four subjects participated. The mean age of participants was 49.48±17.8 years, with male: female ratio of 1:1.1. The median duration of admission due to COVID-19 infection was 10.0 (7.0-15.8) days. The common symptoms were fatigue (85.1%), loss of smell (71.3%), dyspnea 53(56.4%), and Cough (62.8%). Dyspnea was present in 62.8% using the MRC dyspnea scale, while the 6-meter walk test showed inadequate functional capacity in 61.7%, and both showed significant association. (X2=18.606, P=0.001*)
Conclusion: Respiratory morbidity remains a significant post covid condition. There is a need to raise awareness amongst healthcare workers, particularly within the primary healthcare setting for early identification and referral of COVID-19 survivors with prolonged respiratory symptoms to pulmonology clinics for optimal care. There is also a need for further research on predictors of post COVID syndrome and treatment modalities.
Keywords: Post covid syndrome, long covid, post covid disease

CITATION

Ojo OT, Adeyeye OO, Ajibare A, Fapohunda T. Burden of respiratory morbidity amongst survivors of COVID-19 infection in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria. J CLIN MED KAZ. 2023;20(3):14-8. https://doi.org/10.23950/jcmk/13242

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