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Prevalence of Long COVID Symptoms in Bangladesh: A Prospective Inception Cohort Study of COVID-19 Survivors

35 Pages Posted: 27 Jul 2021

See all articles by Mohammad Anwar Hossain

Mohammad Anwar Hossain

Jashore University of Science and Technology (JUST) - Department of Microbiology

K. M. Amran Hossain

Jashore University of Science and Technology (JUST) - Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation

Karen Saunders

University of Kent - School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research

Zakir Uddin

McMaster University - School of Rehabilitation Science

Lori Maria Walton

University of Scranton - Department of Physical Therapy

Veena Raigangar

University of Sharjah - Department of Physiotherapy

Mohamed Sakel

Jashore University of Science and Technology (JUST) - Department of Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation

Rubayet Shafin

Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP) - Department of Physiotherapy

Mohammad Sohrab Hossain

Bangladesh Health Professions Institute (BHPI) - Department of Physiotherapy

Md. Feroz Kabir

Jashore University of Science and Technology (JUST) - Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation

Rafey Faruqui

University of Kent - Centre for Health Services Studies

Shohag Rana

Bangladesh Health Professions Institute (BHPI) - Department of Physiotherapy

Md. Shahoriar Ahmed

Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP) - Department of Physiotherapy

Sonjit Kumar Chakrovorty

Jashore University of Science and Technology (JUST) - Department of Microbiology

Md. Anwar Hossain

University of Dhaka - Department of Microbiology

Iqbal Kabir Jahid

Jashore University of Science and Technology (JUST) - Department of Microbiology

More...

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence of ‘Long COVID’ symptoms (LCS) in a large cohort of survivors and identify any potential associated risk factors.

Methods: A prospective survey was undertaken of an inception cohort of confirmed COV|ID-19 survivors (Aged 18 to 87 years). 14392 participants were recruited from 24 testing facilities across Bangladesh between June, and November 2020. All participants had a previously confirmed positive COVID-19 diagnosis, and reported persistent symptoms and difficulties in performing daily activities. Participants who consented, were contacted by telephone, and were interviewed regarding LCS, and restriction of activities of daily living. Cardio-respiratory parameters were also measured. Statistical analysis included binary logistic and multiple linear regressions were performed with LCS as the dependent variable. Associated risk factors were identified using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM).

Findings: Among 2198 participants, the prevalence of LCS at 12 weeks was 16·1%. Overall, eight LCS were identified and in descending order of prominence are: fatigue, pain, dyspnea, cough, anosmia, appetite loss, headache, and chest pain. COVID survivors experienced between 1 to 5 LCS with an overall duration period of 21·8 ± 5·2 weeks. SEM predicted the length of LCS to be related to younger age, female gender, rural residence, prior functional limitation and smoking.

Interpretation: In this cohort of survivors, at 31 weeks post diagnosis, the prevalence of LCS was 16·1%. The risk factors identified for presence and longer length of LCS warrant further research and consideration to support public health initiatives.

Clinical Trial Registration Details: The study was registered at World Health Organization (WHO) Primary Clinical trial registry platform (CTRI/2020/09/028165) on 30/09/2020 with the title “Symptoms presentation among the COVID-19 survivors in Bangladesh”.

Funding Information: No funding.

Declaration of Interests: We declare no competing interests.

Ethics Approval Statement: Ethical permission was obtained from the Institutional Review Board at the Institute of Physiotherapy, Rehabilitation, and Research (Ethical review committee at Bangladesh Physiotherapy Association) on September 17, 2020 (BPA-IPRR/IRB/17/09/2020/028). Verbal consent was obtained during the initial telephone call and written consent was obtained at interview. The principles of the Helsinki Declaration19 were followed throughout the research to ensure confidentiality, ethics and privacy.

Keywords: Long COVID Symptoms, Post-acute COVID-19 syndrome, Post COVID-19 syndrome, Bangladesh

Suggested Citation

Hossain, Mohammad Anwar and Hossain, K. M. Amran and Saunders, Karen and Uddin, Zakir and Walton, Lori Maria and Raigangar, Veena and Sakel, Mohamed and Shafin, Rubayet and Hossain, Mohammad Sohrab and Kabir, Md. Feroz and Faruqui, Rafey and Rana, Shohag and Ahmed, Md. Shahoriar and Chakrovorty, Sonjit Kumar and Hossain, Md. Anwar and Jahid, Iqbal Kabir, Prevalence of Long COVID Symptoms in Bangladesh: A Prospective Inception Cohort Study of COVID-19 Survivors. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3893472 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3893472

Mohammad Anwar Hossain

Jashore University of Science and Technology (JUST) - Department of Microbiology

Jashore
Bangladesh

K. M. Amran Hossain

Jashore University of Science and Technology (JUST) - Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation ( email )

Karen Saunders

University of Kent - School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research

Canterbury, CT2 7NP
United Kingdom

Zakir Uddin

McMaster University - School of Rehabilitation Science ( email )

Canada

Lori Maria Walton

University of Scranton - Department of Physical Therapy

Bethlehem, PA 18015-3118
United States

Veena Raigangar

University of Sharjah - Department of Physiotherapy ( email )

University City Road
P. O. Box 27272
Sharjah, 27272
United Arab Emirates

Mohamed Sakel

Jashore University of Science and Technology (JUST) - Department of Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation ( email )

Jashore-7408, Khulna, Bangladesh
Jashore-7408, Khulna, Bangladesh
Jashore, Bangladesh 7408
Bangladesh

Rubayet Shafin

Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP) - Department of Physiotherapy ( email )

Mohammad Sohrab Hossain

Bangladesh Health Professions Institute (BHPI) - Department of Physiotherapy ( email )

Md. Feroz Kabir

Jashore University of Science and Technology (JUST) - Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation ( email )

Rafey Faruqui

University of Kent - Centre for Health Services Studies

Canterbury, CT2 7NP
United Kingdom

Shohag Rana

Bangladesh Health Professions Institute (BHPI) - Department of Physiotherapy

Md. Shahoriar Ahmed

Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP) - Department of Physiotherapy ( email )

Sonjit Kumar Chakrovorty

Jashore University of Science and Technology (JUST) - Department of Microbiology ( email )

Jashore
Bangladesh

Md. Anwar Hossain

University of Dhaka - Department of Microbiology ( email )

University of Dhaka
Dhaka 1000
Ramna, Dhaka, Dhaka 1000
Bangladesh

Iqbal Kabir Jahid (Contact Author)

Jashore University of Science and Technology (JUST) - Department of Microbiology ( email )

Jashore
Bangladesh