Post COVID Syndrome Among Symptomatic COVID-19 Patients: A Prospective Study in a Tertiary Care Center in Bangladesh

Background: Post COVID syndrome is defined in this articles as: 1. Persistence of the symptoms beyond the virologic clearance. 2. New development of symptoms or exaggeration of chronic diseases within 1 month after initial clinical and virologic cure, the etiology of which postulated to be viral. The study aims to find the incidence, association, and the risk factors for the development of the syndrome. Methods: This Prospective Cohort study was conducted in Dhaka Medical college Hospital, from 01, June 2020 to 10, August 2020.  Consecutive patients were enrolled and followed up for at least 1 month after recovery. Findings: Among 400 recruited patients 355 patients were analyzed. Mean (SD) age was 39•9(13•4) years, with male dominance (1•4:1). Total 162 (46%) patients developed post COVID symptoms. Among them post viral fatigue117 (70%) was most prevalent. Post COVID features are significantly higher among the female [RR, 95% CI, p 1•2, (1•02-1•48), 0•03], those who suffered for longer period (p= 0•00) and those who had prolonged positivity [RR, 95% CI, p; 1•09, (1•00-1•19), 0•00] for Covid 19. Severity of the COVID had also positive association (p value=0•02). Those who have Fever [RR, 95% CI,  p; 1•5, (1•05-2•27), 0•03], Cough [RR, 95% CI, p; 1•36, (1•02-1•81),, 0•04] respiratory distress [RR, 95% CI, p; 1•3, (1•4-1•56),0•001], and lethargy [RR, 95% CI, p ;1•2, (1•06-1•35),0•003] as the presenting features were more susceptible. Logistic regression established female gender, respiratory distress, lethargy and long duration of the disease as risk factors. Interpretations: Female gender, patient presenting with respiratory distress, lethargy and who suffered for long duration are the risk factors. Funding: Received no funds from any source. Declaration of Interests: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this paper. Ethics Approval Statement: Ethical approval was obtained from institutional ethical committee.