A STUDY ON POST ACUTE COVID-19 SYNDROME OF FIRST WAVE OF COVID PANDEMIC IN A TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL IN RURAL PART OF SOUTHERN MAHARASTHRA

Dr. Anita Basavaraj, Dr. Dharshan P.*, Dr. Yagnesh Doshi, Dr. Shirish Shinde, Dr. Shabnum Mulani

ABSTRACT

Objectives: This study was done to recognize the various post covid symptoms in patients previously diagnosed with covid 19. Methods: Study was conducted in patients attending post-covid out patient services in tertiary care hospital. First 250 patients were observed in this study. Results: In this study it was noted that 68.8% of them were males; 44% patients were in the age group of 40-60 years. Breathlessness was the most common complaint amongst these patients was i.e. 64 patients (25.6%) and weakness was the second most common complaint in about 60 patients (24%). About 34.8% of patients had some comorbidity in the form of diabetes mellitus or hypertension or ischemic heart disease. Conclusion: Through this study it was noted that the symptoms of covid 19 such as breathlessness, weakness, psychiatric disturbances and others persist well beyond 2 weeks sometimes to even months. Prolonged course of steroids and anti-fibrotic agents like pirfenidone are tried to reverse lung fibrosis however the results are quite variable as of now. Anticoagulation, antifibrotic therapy along with adequate rest, gradual increase in activity and good nutrition including balanced diet with adequate micronutrient supplementation holds the key to improving fatigue. It helps in reversing the catabolic process associated with covid-19 illness. Psychotherapy and counseling can be very helpful in tiding over the psychosocial issues related to post-COVID syndrome.

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