Evaluation of long-term clinical findings among COVID-19 survivors: preliminary results of a prospective cohort study (Recovida)

Introduction: Little is known about long-term clinical consequences of Covid-19. Objectives: We aimed to follow-up patients surviving the acute phase of disease to identify and eventually describe persistent symptoms related to it. Methods: RECOVIDA is a prospective cohort study conducted in a public-affiliated tertiary-care hospital, in Brazil. From May 1 to December 31, 2020, we recruited participants on the Post-Covid-19 ambulatory of the study facility, which offers clinical follow-up to adult patients, most of them discharged after being admitted due to Covid- 19. We classified their acute disease following WHO severity of disease criteria. Results: 175 patients were included in the study and evaluated up to 120 days after the onset of symptoms (mean = 57 days). Regarding demographic features, 51.4% of participants were female, and average age was 53 ± 14 years. Past medical history included hypertension (37%), diabetes mellitus (28%) and obesity (mean body mass index of 31.7 ± 7.3). By the time of evaluation, 80% of participants still experienced at least one long-term symptom, as described in Table 1. Conclusion: Covid-19 disease does not necessarily end with the end of its acute phase. In fact, a large proportion of patients, even after a mild disease, persist with clinically meaningful symptoms up to 120 days after the disease onset.