Prevalence and Determinants of Fatigue after COVID-19 in Non-Hospitalized Subjects: A Population-Based Study

Knut Stavem, Waleed Ghanima, Magnus K. Olsen, Hanne M. Gilboe and Gunnar Einvik
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Knut Stavem: Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, 0450 Oslo, Norway
Waleed Ghanima: Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, 0450 Oslo, Norway
Magnus K. Olsen: Department of Research, Østfold Hospital Trust, 1714 Grålum, Norway
Hanne M. Gilboe: Fürst Medical Laboratory, 1051 Oslo, Norway
Gunnar Einvik: Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, 0450 Oslo, Norway

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 4, 1-11

Abstract: This study assessed the prevalence and determinants of fatigue in a population-based cohort of non-hospitalized subjects 1.5–6 months after COVID-19. It was a mixed postal/web survey of all non-hospitalized patients ?18 years with a positive PCR for SARS-CoV-2 until 1 June 2020 in a geographically defined area. In total, 938 subjects received a questionnaire including the Chalder fatigue scale (CFQ-11) and the energy/fatigue scale of the RAND-36 questionnaire. We estimated z scores for comparison with general population norms. Determinants were analyzed using multivariable logistic and linear regression analysis. In total, 458 subjects (49%) responded to the survey at median 117.5 days after COVID-19 onset, and 46% reported fatigue. The mean z scores of the CFQ-11 total was 0.70 (95% CI 0.58 to 0.82), CFQ-11 physical 0.66 (0.55 to 0.78), CFQ-11 mental 0.47 (0.35 to 0.59) and RAND-36 energy/fatigue ?0.20 (?0.31 to ?0.1); all CFQ-11 scores differed from those of the norm population ( p < 0.001). Female sex, single/divorced/widowed, short time since symptom debut, high symptom load, and confusion during acute COVID-19 were associated with higher multivariable odds of fatigue. In conclusion, the burden of post-viral fatigue following COVID-19 was high, and higher than in a general norm population. Symptoms of fatigue were most prevalent among women, those having a high symptom load, or confusion during the acute phase.

Keywords: COVID-19; fatigue; post-infectious fatigue; prevalence; CFQ-11 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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