Persistent symptoms of COVID-19, mental health troubles and dysfunctional breathing in healthcare workers: the PERSYCOVID study

Abstract

Background: Healthcare workers (HCW) are particularly at risk of contamination by SARS-CoV-2 because of their exposure to high virus loads through patient contacts. The primary aim of our cross-sectional study was to assess persistent symptoms related to COVID-19 in healthcare workers (HCW). The secondary aim was to observe the influence of these symptoms on quality of life.

Method: The survey was performed in 192 HCW and began in December 2021. Symptoms at the time of the diagnosis, at 15 days and 1, 3 and 6 months after the infection, anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) and dysfunctional breathing (Nijmegen questionnaire [NQ]) were collected.

Results: Nearly all HCW (age 40.8±12.0 years, 79.6% female) were vaccinated (92%) and 18.7% were vaccinated before the infection. No HCW were without symptoms at the time of the infection. Fever, cough, fatigue, muscle ache, throat pain, headache, anosmia or ageusia and dyspnoea were temporarily experienced by more than 50% of the HCW. After 3 months, 48% of the responders still had at least 1 symptom. This proportion depended on the vaccination status (49.6% vs 15.4%, p=0.002). Anxiety, depression, and dysfunctional breathing were respectively found in 16, 8 and 24% of HCW. Vaccination status positively influenced anxiety (p=0.019) but not depression (p=0.114) or dysfunctional breathing (p=0.581).

Discussion: After 3 months, 48% of the responders still had at least 1 symptom, which was positively influenced by the vaccination status. HCW presented anxiety (16%), depression (8%), and dysfunctional breathing (24%).