Investigation of Long-Term COVID-19 Patients’ Quality of Life and Affecting Factors: Data from Single COVID-19 Follow-Up Center

Background: The main challenge faced by many researchers is to predict and monitor the long-term outcome of patients with COVID-19. The purpose of this article is to explore the relationship between quality of life change and long-term COVID-19 patient’s stats in COVID-19 Follow-up Centre. Methods: : This study was designed retrospectively with patients who admitted COVID-19 Follow-up Centre of between January and May 2021. Study sample consisted of 125 patients divided into two groups according to their admission date. 1 st admission indicates of first 3 months and 2 nd admission covers 3-6 months after diagnosed with COVID-19. Patient values recorded retrospectively with a form which includes questions about the socio-demographic characteristics of individuals, comorbidities, and the assessment of the patient's health-related quality of life with the SF-36 scale. Results: : Comparison of baseline characteristics showed that cough and chest pain have been increased in second admission (p<0.001). Thirty-six item of short form Health Status Questionnaire-36 (SF-36) measured quality of life and there was a significant difference between first and second admission in all parameters. However, no significant differences were found in SF-36 change according to age. Only trace amounts of decreasing in General Health sub-group were detected in females compare to males (p=0.004). In addition, comparing with the SF-36 subgroups in terms of treatment places, only a significant difference between the inpatient and I.C.U groups in General Health sub-group (p=0.044). Conclusions: : In summary, these findings have significant implications for the understanding of long term COVID-19 patients with a multidisciplinary approach and necessity of follow-up centers for detection of the unpredictable results of the long-term COVID-19.