Post-COVID-19 syndrome: epidemiological and sociodemographic profile of patients referred for physical therapy rehabilitation

Abstract

The spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, has led to thousands of infections and deaths worldwide. Among survivors, a substantial proportion develop persistent symptoms, commonly referred to as post-COVID-19 syndrome. This study aims to describe the epidemiological and sociodemographic profile of patients
with post-COVID-19 syndrome referred for rehabilitation.
This is an observational, cross-sectional, descriptive study using a convenience sample. Fifty-eight participants aged over 18 were included, and data were collected at a university hospital in the city of Curitiba, Paraná State, Brazil. There was a prevalence of females aged 24-75, most of whom were white, married, and had completed high school education. None were current smokers, one reported harmful alcohol use, and most were physically inactive prior to COVID-19 infection. Most participants required Intensive Care Unit
(ICU) admission during the acute phase of COVID-19 and required invasive mechanical ventilation, and all required oxygen therapy. The main reported symptoms were dyspnea and fatigue. Most participants had at least one comorbidity, with cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes being the most prevalent. The findings suggest a strong association between disease severity and the presence of comorbidities, contributing to symptom persistence and the need for rehabilitation after hospital discharge.