Decrease in Health-Related Quality of Life and Post–COVID-19 Syndrome in Health Care Workers After SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Karen Gomes D’Ávila, Luciana Rott Monaiar, Lia Dias Pinheiro Dantas, Alana Ambos Freitas, Marcelle Martinez Loureiro, Renan Rangel Bonamigo, Fábio Fernandes Dantas Filho, Denise Rossato Silva
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to assess the persistence of symptoms, the prevalence of post-COVID-19 syndrome, and the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among health care workers (HCWs) 6 months after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted. All HCWs with confirmed COVID-19 from January to June 2021 were invited to participate. Health-related quality of life was evaluated in three moments: before COVID-19, after COVID-19 (on return to work), and after 6 months. Persistence of symptoms post-COVID-19 was also assessed. RESULTS: There was a worsening in all dimensions of HRQOL. After 6 months, self-rated health on EuroQol visual analog scale did not return to pre-COVID-19 values. At total, 36.2% of HCWs were diagnosed with post-COVID-19 syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: There was a significant deterioration in HRQOL among HCWs who had COVID-19 and a high frequency of post-COVID-19 syndrome.