(Belga) Six months after a corona infection, at least one in seven patients still struggles with symptoms, such as fatigue, shortness of breath and so-called brain fog, a collection of memory and concentration problems. Long-term COVID-19 affects every age group, but is most common in people between the ages of 35 and 69. This is apparent from a study by the Federal Knowledge Center for Healthcare (KCE) on Tuesday. In healthcare, patients lack a global approach to their symptoms.
“The figures are significantly higher in patients who were hospitalized during the acute phase,” estimates the KCE on the basis of international scientific literature. Higher numbers are reported during the first three months after infection, showing that a proportion of patients with long-term COVID-19 are recovering. “Prolonged COVID-19 affects both people who have had a severe form of COVID-19 and people who have only had a mild (or possibly even asymptomatic) form,” the analysis shows. The symptoms are said to be due to organ damage, abnormal body reactions, or exacerbation of pre-existing illnesses. In February, the Knowledge Center conducted an online survey among 1,320 people with long-term COVID-19 and interviewed about a hundred participants. This showed that the patients experience the symptoms very differently, from limited to life-changing. “In general, long-term COVID-19 leads to a marked reduction in quality of life, a certain loss of autonomy and difficulties in returning to work. The psychological consequences are serious,” states the KCE. Patients are anxious about how long the symptoms will last and how to deal with disbelief and stigma in their environment. In addition, a third of patients reported a lack of information, skilled staff or access to care. “Patients report that they often feel lost in our health care system and that there is a lack of a global approach to their problems,” according to the Knowledge Center. That is why the KCE sees the benefit of a global functional assessment, a bilan, which is drawn up in specialized centers and refers patients to tailor-made treatments in primary care. (Belgium)
“The figures are significantly higher in patients who were hospitalized during the acute phase,” estimates the KCE on the basis of international scientific literature. Higher numbers are reported during the first three months after infection, showing that a proportion of patients with long-term COVID-19 are recovering. “Prolonged COVID-19 affects both people who have had a severe form of COVID-19 and people who have only had a mild (or possibly even asymptomatic) form,” the analysis shows. The symptoms are said to be due to organ damage, abnormal body reactions, or exacerbation of pre-existing illnesses. In February, the Knowledge Center conducted an online survey among 1,320 people with long-term COVID-19 and interviewed about a hundred participants. This showed that the patients experience the symptoms very differently, from limited to life-changing. “In general, long-term COVID-19 leads to a marked reduction in quality of life, a certain loss of autonomy and difficulties in returning to work. The psychological consequences are serious,” states the KCE. Patients are anxious about how long the symptoms will last and how to deal with disbelief and stigma in their environment. In addition, a third of patients reported a lack of information, skilled staff or access to care. “Patients report that they often feel lost in our health care system and that there is a lack of a global approach to their problems,” according to the Knowledge Center. That is why the KCE sees the benefit of a global functional assessment, a bilan, which is drawn up in specialized centers and refers patients to tailor-made treatments in primary care. (Belgium)
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