The course and trajectories of quality of life among post-COVID-19 patients in the HUS long covid cohort study

Abstract

Abstract Patients with post-COVID condition (PCC) frequently report reduced quality of life (QoL). This study assessed QoL and health-related QoL (HRQoL) with trajectories within a prospective PCC cohort. The study included adult patients at a PCC clinic. Outcomes were collected at 0, 3, 6, and 12 months. The primary outcome was QoL by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS 0–10). Secondary outcomes included QoL by EUROHIS-QOL-8 and HRQoL by 15D, and patients’ symptom perceptions by Somatic Symptom Disorder - B Criteria Scale (SSD-12). Linear mixed models analyzed temporal changes, and trajectory analysis modeled recovery patterns. At baseline, 442 patients participated, with 305 (69.0%) providing follow-up data. Most patients (92.7%) were non-hospitalized. Trajectory analysis of EUROHIS-QOL-8 identified two recovering trajectories (73.8%) and a stable group (26.2%). Stable trajectories were associated with more comorbidities and higher levels of worry-inducing symptom perceptions (mean SSD-12 score 26 out of 48), whereas marked recovery was linked to being employed and having lower SSD-12 (10–13). Mean QoL improved over 12 months from 5.2 to 6.5 on the 0–10 VAS scale and from 3.1 to 3.5 on the EUROHIS-QOL-8 scale of 1–5. HRQoL by 15D increased from 0.76 to 0.80 (scale 0–1). In conclusion, patients with comorbidities and distressing illness beliefs are the most vulnerable group in rehabilitation and require specific attention.