Self-scored impairments in functioning and disability in post-COVID syndrome following mild COVID-19 infection.
Jan-Rickard Norrefalk, Kristian Borg, Indre Bileviciute-Ljungar
PMID 34643243WHAT IT FOUND
People with persistent symptoms after mild COVID-19 reported widespread, often severe problems.
Tiredness with activity, low energy, and handling stress were the most common limits, with major restrictions in work, stairs, and social life.
Key findings
01Nearly all participants reported tiredness with activity: 99% had impaired fatigability, with 28% rating it as total problems and 48% as severe.
02Cognitive and work-related activities were heavily impaired: handling stress affected 98%, paid work 96%, and completing multiple tasks 95%.
03Physical daily tasks were also commonly limited: climbing stairs affected 96%, lifting and carrying 92%, and housework 84%.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
This was a self-scored online questionnaire, not a clinical examination. It reports what participants said about their functioning rather than objectively measured disability. Participants were recruited through social media and a patient organisation. The sample may not represent all people with post-COVID syndrome. The analysed sample was 100 people, with a mean age of 44 years, 82% female, and 61% with higher education. Of 107 consecutive participants, one was excluded and six had missing ICF data, and 100 were analysed. Only questionnaire categories with impairment in at least 25% of participants were presented. Less common problems may be underreported. The study describes baseline symptoms before a rehabilitation programme. It does not test whether any treatment improves functioning. In a previous self-scored ICF questionnaire, patient and rehabilitation team ratings disagreed by 18% to 51%. Self-ratings may not match clinician ratings. Environmental factors were not included. Supports and barriers in the participants' surroundings were not assessed.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read these percentages as proof that a treatment works or that mild infection caused objective disability. The study had no control group, no clinical examination, and only reported self-scored symptoms before rehabilitation.