Recovery from COVID-19: a sprint or marathon? 6-month follow-up data from online long COVID-19 support group members.
Anouk W VaesYvonne M J GoërtzMaarten van HerckFelipe V C MachadoRoy MeysJeannet M DelbressineSarah Houben-WilkeSwetlana GaffronDieter MaierChris BurtinRein PosthumaNicole P H van LoonFrits M E FranssenBita HajianSami Olavi SimonsJob Frank Martien van BovenFrederikus Albertus KlokBart SpaetgensClaire M H PinxtLimmie Y L LiuGeertjan WesselingYvonne SpiesHerman VijlbriefA J Alex van 't HulDaisy J A Janssen Nienke NakkenMartijn A. SpruitPublished in: ERJ open research (2021)
Although patients with confirmed COVID-19, who were all members of online long COVID peer support groups, reported significant improvements in work productivity, functional status and quality of life between 3 and 6 months follow-up, these data clearly highlight the long-term impact of COVID-19, as approximately 6 months after the onset of COVID-19-related symptoms a large proportion still experienced persistent symptoms, a moderate-to-poor health, moderate-to-severe functional limitations, considerable loss in work productivity, and/or an impaired quality of life. Action is needed to improve the management and healthcare of these patients.