Prevalence of severe fatigue after SARS-CoV-2 infection in Norway: a prospective 2-year follow-up study
Objectives
This study aims to estimate the prevalence of long-lasting severe fatigue and identify possible risk factors in a 2-year follow-up of patients with predominantly mild-to-moderate SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Design
Prospective cohort study. Setting A community-based cohort from Telemark and Agder Counties, Norway.
Participants
A total of 159 PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 positive individuals in the period between 28 February and 17 December 2020 were included at 12 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection, and 93 responded at 24 months follow-up.
Outcome measures
Fatigue was assessed using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), and health-related quality of life using the RAND version of health-related quality of life Short Form 36 (SF-36), developed by the RAND Corporation. SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were measured at 12 and 24 months.
Results
Severe fatigue (FSS ≥5) was reported by 36% at 12 months and 31% at 24 months. A higher proportion of women than men reported severe fatigue at 12 months (p=0.08). The number of acute-phase symptoms was associated with severe fatigue.
No association was found between severe fatigue and anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels, demographic variables or reinfection status. The severe fatigue group scored significantly lower on all domains of SF-36.
Conclusion
In this cohort, severe fatigue was common, greatly impacted quality of life and persisted for up to 2 years following SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Fatigue severity was associated with symptom burden in the acute phase but not with antibody levels or other demographic variables. These findings underscore the need for long-term follow-up and support for affected individuals.
Web | DOI | PDF | BMJ Open | Open Access
Berg, Kristine Karlsrud; Sarjomaa, Marjut; Tveten, Yngvar; Thilesen, Carina; Fell, Anne Kristin Moeller; Nordbø, Svein Arne; Reiso, Harald; Eikeland, Randi
Objectives
This study aims to estimate the prevalence of long-lasting severe fatigue and identify possible risk factors in a 2-year follow-up of patients with predominantly mild-to-moderate SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Design
Prospective cohort study. Setting A community-based cohort from Telemark and Agder Counties, Norway.
Participants
A total of 159 PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 positive individuals in the period between 28 February and 17 December 2020 were included at 12 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection, and 93 responded at 24 months follow-up.
Outcome measures
Fatigue was assessed using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), and health-related quality of life using the RAND version of health-related quality of life Short Form 36 (SF-36), developed by the RAND Corporation. SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were measured at 12 and 24 months.
Results
Severe fatigue (FSS ≥5) was reported by 36% at 12 months and 31% at 24 months. A higher proportion of women than men reported severe fatigue at 12 months (p=0.08). The number of acute-phase symptoms was associated with severe fatigue.
No association was found between severe fatigue and anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels, demographic variables or reinfection status. The severe fatigue group scored significantly lower on all domains of SF-36.
Conclusion
In this cohort, severe fatigue was common, greatly impacted quality of life and persisted for up to 2 years following SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Fatigue severity was associated with symptom burden in the acute phase but not with antibody levels or other demographic variables. These findings underscore the need for long-term follow-up and support for affected individuals.
Web | DOI | PDF | BMJ Open | Open Access