Recovery from COVID-19: a sprint or marathon? 24-week follow-up data of online long COVID-19 peer support groups

Background: It remains unknown whether and to what extent members of online long COVID-19 peer support groups remain symptomatic and limited over time. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate symptoms and their impact in members of online long COVID-19 peer support groups up to 24 weeks after the onset of COVID-19-related symptoms. Methods: Demographics, symptoms, health status, work productivity, functional status and health-related quality of life were assessed at 11 and 24 weeks after the onset of COVID-19-related symptoms in members of online long COVID-19 peer support groups. Results: Data of 239 patients with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis (83% women; median (IQR) age: 50 (39-56) years) were analyzed. During the infection, a median (IQR) of 15 (11-18) symptoms was reported, which was significantly lower 11 and 24 weeks later: 6 (4-9) and 6 (3-8), respectively (p<0.05). From 11 to 24 weeks follow-up, the proportion of patients without symptoms increased from 1.3% to only 5.4% (p<0.001). Patients also reported a significantly improved work productivity (work absenteeism and presenteeism: 73% vs. 52% and 66% vs. 60%), self-reported good health (9.2% vs. 16.7%), functional status (Post COVID-19 Functional Status scale: 2.4 (0.9) vs. 2.2 (0.8)) and health-related quality of life (EQ-5D index: 0.645 (0.181) vs. 0.694 (0.165) and EQ-VAS: 49 (19) vs. 56 (18)) (all p<0.05). Conclusion: The vast majority of patients with confirmed COVID-19, who were all members of online long COVID-19 peer support groups, still experienced persistent symptoms 24 weeks after the onset of COVID-19-related symptoms, which may affect work productivity, functional status and quality of life.