Physical and mental health complications post-COVID-19: Scoping review

• Published in: Journal of psychosomatic research 2021-08, Vol.147, p.110525-110525, Article 110525
• Main Authors: Shanbehzadeh, Sanaz, Tavahomi, Mahnaz, Zanjari, Nasibeh, Ebrahimi-Takamjani, Ismail, Amiri-arimi, Somayeh
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Activities of daily living; Anxiety; Arthralgia; Coronavirus; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; COVID-19 - complications; COVID-19 - psychology; Fatigue; Follow up; Functional status; Health; Health problems; Health status; Humans; Intensive care; Mental depression; Mental disorders; Mental health; Mental Health - statistics & numerical data; Myalgia; Observational studies; Pain; Physical symptoms; Post traumatic stress disorder; Post-discharge; Quality of Life; Rehabilitation; Review; Symptoms; Systematic review; Walking
• ISSN: 0022-3999; 1879-1360; 1879-1360
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2021.110525

Several long-lasting health complications have been reported in previous coronavirus infections. Therefore, the aim of this study was to review studies that evaluated physical and mental health problems post-COVID-19. Articles for inclusion in this scoping review were identified by searching the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases for items dated from 1 January to 7 November 2020. Observational studies evaluating physical health (musculoskeletal symptoms, functional status) or mental health status with a follow-up period longer than 1 month after discharge or after the onset of symptoms were included. This scoping review included 34 studies with follow-up periods of up to 3 months post-COVID-19. The most commonly reported physical health problems were fatigue (range 28% to 87%), pain (myalgia 4.5% to 36%), arthralgia (6.0% to 27%), reduced physical capacity (six-minute walking test range 180 to 561 m), and declines in physical role functioning, usual care and daily activities (reduced in 15% to 54% of patients). Common mental health problems were anxiety (range 6.5% to 63%), depression (4% to 31%) and post-traumatic stress disorder (12.1% to 46.9%). Greater fatigue, pain, anxiety and depression were reported in female patients and individuals admitted to intensive care. An overall lower quality of life was seen up to 3 months post-COVID-19. This review highlights the presence of several physical and mental health problems up to 3 months post-COVID-19. The findings point to the need for comprehensive evaluation and rehabilitation post-COVID-19 to promote quality of life. •Fatigue was the most common musculoskeletal problem post-COVID-19.•Reduced exercise capacity was present post-COVID-19.•Anxiety and depression were the most common mental health problems post-COVID-19.•Physical and mental health problems were prevalent among ICU survivors.•Fatigue and mental health problems were prevalent among women.