Predictors of and Factors Associated with Novel Post COVID Symptoms in the Musculoskeletal, Functional, and Cognitive Domains for Vaccinated Delta-Variant Survivors: A Descriptive Survey of a Nationwide Prospective Inception Cohort in Bangladesh

Background: This study aimed to determine and predict whether vaccinated survivors of the COVID-19 delta-variant display any novel post COVID impairments in the musculoskeletal, functional, and cognitive domains.Methods: This study adopted a descriptive survey of a prospective inception cohort of COVID-19 survivors recruited during the pre-delta (June to November 2020) and delta (July to December 2021) community transmission periods in Bangladesh. A total of 27,867 participants (pre-delta, N = 14,392; delta, N = 13,475) were recruited from eight administrative divisions using stratified random sampling. Household screening completed for reported persistent symptoms for >4 weeks of COVID-19 diagnosis through COVID-19 Yorkshire Rehabilitation Scale (C19-YRS); and the WHO’s Clinical Progression Scale.Findings: The prevalence of long COVID symptoms was higher for delta (25·2%) than pre-delta (16·1%) respondents. In addition, the novelty of symptoms was higher among delta participants (14·8%) in the musculoskeletal pain, functional limitation, and cognitive impairment spectrum, associated with diverse sociodemographic and clinical predictors (p < .05). In pre-delta and delta periods, long COVID symptoms were relapsing–remittent following the probability of longer symptom duration based on the number of post COVID symptoms (p < .01). Specific demographic patterns were found to be prominent based on musculoskeletal, functional, and cognitive impairments.Interpretation: As a variant of concern, delta induces a wider range of novel post COVID symptoms that are significant in clinical patterns, symptom duration, and disease course.Trial Registration: Trial registration was obtained prospectively from a primary trial registry site of the WHO (Clinical Trial Registry, India, CTRI/2009/20/028165).Funding: Not ApplicableDeclaration of Interest: None.Ethical Approval: This study obtained ethical approval from two independent bodies, the Centrefor the Rehabilitation of the Paralyzed (CRP-R&E-0401-336) and the Institute of Physiotherapy, Rehabilitation, and Research of the Bangladesh Physiotherapy Association (BPA-IPRR/IRB/09/17/2020/028).