Post-COVID-19 Condition Characterization: Insights From a Cross-Sectional Study in a Malaysian Rehabilitation Center

Zamli AH 1 , Misnan NA 2 , Lim SY 3 , Zohdi WNWM 4 , Baharum N 5 , Andiappan K 1

Affiliations 

  • 1 Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Sungai Buloh Hospital, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
  • 2 Infectious Disease Department, Sungai Buloh Hospital, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
  • 3 School of Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Taylor's University, Selangor, Malaysia
  • 4 Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Selangor, Malaysia
  • 5 Centre for Coordination of Clinical Research Network, Institute for Clinical Research, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
Asia Pac J Public Health, 2023 Nov;35(8):516-523.
PMID: 37798930 DOI: 10.1177/10105395231203118

Abstract

Although post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) is a major public health concern, studies on PCC in Southeast Asia are lacking. This study aimed to describe PCC symptoms and its functional impact among COVID-19 survivors undergoing outpatient rehabilitation in Malaysia. We evaluated 3037 patients with confirmed COVID-19, referred between November 2020 and September 2022, 3 to 6 months after infection. PCC was diagnosed in 71.1%. Fatigue and dyspnea were the most common symptoms. The PCC patients had reduced respiratory, ambulatory, and musculoskeletal function, and higher fatigue and pain scores, and were less likely to return to work (odds ratio [OR] = 0.55) compared with non-PCC patients. Recognition of PCC symptoms and its functional impact can guide early, tailored, rehabilitation interventions.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

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