Exploring long COVID condition in Latin America: Its impact on patients’ activities and associated healthcare use
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Date
2023-04-20Author(s)
Angarita-Fonseca, Adriana
Torres-Castro, Rodrigo
Benavides-Cordoba, Vicente
Chero, Santos
Morales-Satán, Mauricio
Hernández-López, Bricia
Salazar-Pérez, Rafael
Larrateguy, Santiago
Sanchez-Ramirez, Diana C.
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Show full item recordAbstract
“Background: Studies exploring long COVID condition (LCC) in low- and
middle-income countries are scarce. Further characterization of LCC patients
experiencing activity limitations and their associated healthcare use is needed.
This study aimed to describe LCC patients’ characteristics, its impact on activities,
and associated healthcare use in Latin America (LATAM).
Participants: Individuals who (cared for someone or) had COVID-19 and could
read, write, and comprehend Spanish and lived in a LATAM country were invited
to complete a virtual survey. Sociodemographic characteristics, COVID-19 and
LCC symptoms, activity limitations, and healthcare use.
Results: Data from 2,466 people from 16 countries in LATAM were analyzed
(females = 65.9%; mean age of 39.5 ± 53.3 years). 1,178 (48%) of the respondents
had LCC symptoms (≥3 months). These were more likely to have COVID-19 earlier
in the pandemic, were older, had no COVID vaccines, had more comorbidities,
needed supplementary oxygen, and reported significantly more COVID-19
symptoms during the infectious period. 33% of the respondents visited a primary
care provider, 13% went to the emergency department, 5% were hospitalized,
21% visited a specialist, and 32% consulted ≥1 therapist for LCC symptoms
mainly extreme fatigue, sleep difficulties, headaches, muscle or joint pain, and
shortness of breath with activity. The most consulted therapists were respiratory
therapists (15%) and psychologists (14%), followed by physical therapists (13%),
occupational therapists (3%), and speech pathologists (1%). One-third of LCC
respondents decreased their regular activities (e.g., work, school) and 8% needed
help with activities of daily living (ADLs). LCC respondents who reduced their
activities reported more difficulty sleeping, chest pain with activity, depression,
and problems with concentration, thinking, and memory, while those who
needed help with ADLs were more likely to have difficulty walking, and shortness
of breath at rest. Approximately 60% of respondents who experienced activity
limitations sought a specialist and 50% consulted therapists. Conclusions and relevance: Results supported previous findings in terms of the
LCC demographics, and provided insight into LCC impact on patients’ activities
and healthcare services used in LATAM. This information is valuable to inform
service planning and resource allocation in alignment with the needs of this
population.“
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