Mental Fatigue, Activities of Daily Living, Sick Leave and Functional Status among Patients with Long COVID: A Cross-Sectional Study

Trine Brøns Nielsen (), Steffen Leth, Mathilde Pedersen, Helle Dahl Harbo, Claus Vinther Nielsen, Cecilia Hee Laursen, Berit Schiøttz-Christensen and Lisa Gregersen Oestergaard
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Trine Brøns Nielsen: DEFACTUM, Central Denmark Region, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
Steffen Leth: Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark
Mathilde Pedersen: Department of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark
Helle Dahl Harbo: Department of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark
Claus Vinther Nielsen: DEFACTUM, Central Denmark Region, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
Cecilia Hee Laursen: DEFACTUM, Central Denmark Region, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
Berit Schiøttz-Christensen: Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark
Lisa Gregersen Oestergaard: DEFACTUM, Central Denmark Region, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 22, 1-15

Abstract: Studies suggest that persistent symptoms after COVID-19 (long COVID) influence functioning and activities of daily living (ADL). However, it is still uncertain how and to what extent. This study aimed to describe patient-reported mental fatigue, ADL problems, ADL ability, sick leave and functional status among patients with long COVID. In this cross-sectional study, 448 patients, ≥18 years old and referred to occupational therapy at a Danish Post-COVID-19 Clinic, were included. Mental fatigue was measured by the Mental Fatigue Scale, ADL problems and ability were measured by the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure, sick leave was self-reported and functional status was evaluated by the Post-COVID-19 Functional Status Scale. Mean age was 46.8 years, 73% of the patients were female, and 75% suffered from moderate to severe mental fatigue. The majority reported difficulties performing productive and leisure activities. The median performance and satisfaction scores were 4.8 and 3, respectively. In total, 56% of the patients were on sick leave, and 94% were referred to rehabilitation. A decrease in functional status was found between pre-COVID-19 and assessment. Conclusively, the patients were highly affected in their everyday life and had distinct rehabilitation needs. Future research is needed to address causalities and rehabilitation for this patient group.

Keywords: long COVID; persistent COVID-19 symptoms; activities of daily living; mental fatigue; functioning; rehabilitation; work ability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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