65% of COVID-19 Long-Haulers Experience '3 or More Symptoms'... 'Cough' Most Common

7 out of 10 People with Aftereffects Are Women

Citizens are sitting wearing masks at Seoul National University Hospital in Jongno-gu, Seoul.
Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] It was found that 65% of first-time patients visiting the clinic for post-COVID-19 symptoms experienced three or more complex symptoms.

Myongji Hospital announced on the 15th the results of an analysis of 1,077 patients from last month 21st, when the post-COVID-19 symptom clinic began operation, until the 11th of this month. The analysis covered gender, age group, main symptoms, number of perceived symptoms, and the number of days from quarantine release to clinic visit.

According to the analysis, among the 1,077 patients who visited the clinic, 382 (35%) were male and 695 (65%) were female. By age group, those in their 60s accounted for the largest portion at 27%, totaling 290 patients. This was followed by 217 patients (20%) in their 50s, 198 patients (18%) in their 40s, and 150 patients (14%) in their 30s. Those aged 70 and above were 114 (10%), and patients in their 20s were 98 (9%).

Regarding post-COVID-19 symptoms, cough (31%) was the most frequently reported, indicating ongoing difficulties in daily life even after quarantine release. This was followed by general weakness (13%), bronchitis (acute and chronic, 9%), breathing difficulties (9%), esophagitis (8%), gastritis (7%), and abnormal sputum (7%).

Additionally, among 748 first-time patients who completed a pre-visit health questionnaire, 146 patients (20%) reported experiencing only one symptom, which was the most common. However, there were also cases of multiple symptoms: 131 patients (18%) with three symptoms, 123 patients (16%) with four symptoms, 114 patients (15%) with two symptoms, 99 patients (13%) with five symptoms, and 70 patients (9%) with six symptoms. There were even six patients (1%) who reported experiencing up to nine symptoms.

There were a total of 178 cases where basic examination results were poor or findings requiring continuous management were observed, leading to referrals for collaborative treatment (joint care by different departments within the hospital). These included 34 cases to the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, 34 to Cardiology, 21 to Psychiatry, 21 to Pulmonology, and 12 to Ophthalmology.

Among 545 patients whose quarantine release dates were recorded, the average number of days from quarantine release to clinic visit was 24.3 days. Of these, 469 patients visited within one month (30 days), while 76 patients visited after more than one month. The patient who experienced post-COVID-19 symptoms the longest visited the clinic 749 days after quarantine release.

Ha Eun-hye, head of the Post-COVID-19 Symptom Clinic (Pulmonology), stated, "The majority of patients visiting the post-COVID-19 symptom clinic complain of two to three or more complex symptoms. It is important to comprehensively address post-COVID-19 symptoms through collaborative treatment and, in severe cases, to continue appropriate treatment through follow-up observation in specialized departments."