Post-COVID syndrome: incidence, clinical spectrum and challenges for primary health care professionals
A. Aitbaev1, I. T. Murkamilov2,3, Zh. A. Murkamilova3, V. V. Fomin4, I. O. Kudaibergenova2, F. A. Yusupov5
1Scientific-Research Institute of Molecular Biology and Medicine, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
2Kyrgyz State Medical Academy named after I. K. Akhunbaev, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
3Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
4First Moscow State Medical University named after I. M. Sechenov, Moscow, Russia
5Osh State University, Osh, Kyrgyzstan
Contact details:
Murkamilov Ilkhom Torokbekovich – PhD (medicine), acting Associate Professor of the Department of Faculty Therapy, Senior Lecturer of the Department of Therapy No. 2
Address: 92, Akhunbaev Str., Bishkek 720020, tel.: +996557221983, e-mail: murkamilov.i@mail.ru
According to the criteria, post-COVID syndrome is a condition in which a patient’s symptoms persist for more than three weeks after being diagnosed with COVID-19. The article analyzes the current data on post-COVID syndrome with an emphasis on clinical manifestations, as well as on the problems associated with its treatment by primary health care professionals. The incidence of post-COVID syndrome is estimated at 10–35%, while for hospitalized patients it can reach 85%. Fatigue is the most common symptom, occurring in 17.5–72% of cases, followed by residual dyspnea (10–40%). Mental problems, chest pain, and olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions can affect up to 26%, 22% and 11% of patients, respectively. Published data indicate that more than a third of patients with post-COVID syndrome already had comorbidities, of which hypertension and diabetes mellitus were the most common. It has also been reported that the prognosis is good for most patients with post-COVID syndrome, with no further complications or deaths. Given the clinical spectrum of patients with post-COVID syndrome, most of them will be treated by primary health care professionals who play a key role in the management of patients with this syndrome. As the long-term consequences of COVID-19 remain largely unclear, further research is needed to elucidate the pathogenesis, clinical spectrum and prognosis of post-COVID syndrome.
Key words: COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, post-infectious long-term complications, fatigue syndrome, treatment, primary health care, prevention.
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