The COVID-19 Sequelae: A Cross-Sectional Evaluation of Post-Recovery Symptoms and the Need for Rehabilitation of COVID-19 Survivors

In February 2021, a cross-sectional study involving 1,276 COVID-19 survivors was conducted to evaluate long-term post-recovery symptoms. The study found that a significant number of survivors continued to experience symptoms such as fatigue (53.31%), difficulty in concentration (27.82%), and sleep disturbances (26.65%) even after recovery. A related study of 158 recovered patients in Karachi, Pakistan found that 94.9% experienced at least one post-recovery symptom, with fatigue (82.9%) being the most common. Females had a higher incidence of persistent symptoms such as fatigue (58.8%), anxiety (66.7%), joint pain (64%), continuous headache (73.7%), depression (67.2%), and hair fall (74.6%) compared to males. The severity of COVID-19 was significantly related to problems in carrying out usual activities, difficulty in washing or dressing oneself, difficulty in walking, pain and discomfort, and anxiety and depression. The study concluded that post-recovery symptoms might persist long after recovery, possibly requiring rehabilitation.