Assessing the impact of COVID-19 at 1 year using the SF-12 questionnaire: Data from the Anticipate longitudinal cohort study, 2022, O'Kelly et al

Highlights

• Those with Post COVID-19 Syndrome (PoCS) had reduced SF-12 scores at 1-year
• Those with ≥5 symptoms at initial diagnosis had lower SF-12 scores at 1 year
• Lower Physical Composite Score (SF-12) at 3 months was predictive of PoCS at 1-year
• High resting heart rate at 3 months was predictive of PoCS at 1-year

Abstract

Background
: Few studies to date have explored HRQoL in long COVID patients.

Methods
: The Anticipate Study is a prospective single centre observational cohort study. Hospitalised and non-hospitalised patients were seen at a dedicated post-Covid clinic at a 2-4 month (Timepoint 1) and 7-14 month follow up (Timepoint 2). The main objectives of this study are to assess the longitudinal impact of COVID-19 in patients using the 12-item Short Form Survey (SF-12) score, a Health Related Quality of Life tool, also to identify predictors of developing Post COVID-19 Syndrome (PoCS). Also, to describe symptomatology and identify predictors of PoCS at 1 year.

Results
: 155 patients were enrolled, 105(68%) were female aged 43.3 (31-52) years. In total 149(96%) and 94(61%) completed follow up at median 96(76-118) days and 364 (303-398) days. The overall cohort had significantly reduced Physical Composite Score (PCS) of the SF-12 (45.39(10.58) vs 50(10), p=.02). Participants with PoCS had significantly lower scores than those without symptoms at 1 year follow up (37.2(10.4) v 46.1(10.9) p <0.001), and scores for these patients did not improve over the two Timepoints (PCS 34.95(10.5) – 37.2(10.4), p=.22). Fatigue was the most common symptom. Those with five or more symptoms at initial diagnosis had lower PCS and MCS scores at 1 year. Predictors of PoCS at 1-year were lower PCS, and higher baseline heart rate (HR) at clinic review median 3 months after COVID-19.

Conclusion
: PoCS patients have lower PCS scores during follow-up which did not significantly improve up to a 1-year follow up. Lower PCS scores and higher resting HR can be used in the weeks after COVID-19 can help predict those at risk of PoCS.

Open access, https://www.ijidonline.com/article/S1201-9712(22)00152-7/fulltext