Post-Covid-19 Syndrome and Quality of Life Impairment in Severe Covid-19 Mexican Patients

The study examined 246 severe or critical COVID-19 patients and found that 76% (187 patients) experienced Post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS), with symptoms lasting a median of 150 days. The most common symptoms were difficulty concentrating (81%), shortness of breath (75%), joint pain (71%), weakness (69.5%), fatigue (68%), and hair loss (60%). Hair loss, more frequent in women, is believed to be due to telogen effluvium, associated with systemic stress. Factors like smoking, severe COVID-19, lower oxygen saturation on admission, increased lung involvement, and elevated fibrinogen levels were linked to increased PCS frequency. PCS significantly impacted the quality of life, with 63% of patients reporting worse health status than before COVID-19. The study highlights the need for further research and interventions to manage PCS and improve patients' quality of life.