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S.K. Chakrovorty1,2, KMA. Hossain3, M.A. Hossain1,4, S. Ahammad1, F. Kabir3, R. Shafin4, M. Sivan5, A. Al Mamun6, F. Al Mamun6, I.K. Jahid1
1Jashore University of Science and Technology (JUST), Department of Microbiology, Jashore, Bangladesh, 2Dhaka College of Physiotherapy (DCPT), Dhaka, Bangladesh, 3Jashore University of Science and Technology (JUST), Department of Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Jashore, Bangladesh, 4Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP), Department of Physiotherapy, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 5University of Leeds, Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, Leeds, United Kingdom, 6CHINTA Research Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Background: To determine the prevalence of protracted COVID in delta cases, the predictors of this illness, and find risk variables that are comparable across the two different types of COVID-19, a cohort study was essential given that this research would be relevant to the global community.
Purpose: The purpose of the study was to ascertain whether COVID-19 survivors exhibit any unusual Post COVID symptoms in the areas of musculoskeletal pain, functional impairment, and cognitive impairment following the dissemination of the delta variation with vaccination induced.
Methods:Design: The study was a descriptive cohort survey of COVID-19 survivors recruited in two rounds in Bangladesh. Based on pre and post delta induction in Bangladesh, the phases are non-delta and delta. The first phase of data collecting was between June and November 2020, while the second phase was between July and December 2021.
Participants and setting: 27867 participants (Non-delta, N= 14392; Delta, N= 13475) were recruited from 8 administrative divisions across Bangladesh between June, and November 2020 (Phase 1, Non-delta period), and July and December, 202 (Phase 2, Delta period). All participants had a previously confirmed positive COVID-19 diagnosis and reported persistent symptoms and difficulties in performing daily activities.
Main outcome measures: Age, gender, marital status, education, occupation, dwelling area, income, and family details are requested. Date of COVID-19 identification, symptoms, management, and travel or transmission history were gathered. Symptom responses, duration, diagnosis of main post-COVID symptoms, and detection of noble symptoms including musculoskeletal pain, functional disability, and cognitive impairments were examined in two enrollment periods. During non-delta, structured symptom responses were used, while during delta, The COVID-19 Yorkshire Rehabilitation Scale was used (C19-YRS). WHO’s Clinical Progression scale measures COVID-19's symptoms severity. The questionnaire was written in English and translated into Bangla; a forward and backward translation was undertaken to ensure internal consistency.
Participants and setting: 27867 participants (Non-delta, N= 14392; Delta, N= 13475) were recruited from 8 administrative divisions across Bangladesh between June, and November 2020 (Phase 1, Non-delta period), and July and December, 202 (Phase 2, Delta period). All participants had a previously confirmed positive COVID-19 diagnosis and reported persistent symptoms and difficulties in performing daily activities.
Main outcome measures: Age, gender, marital status, education, occupation, dwelling area, income, and family details are requested. Date of COVID-19 identification, symptoms, management, and travel or transmission history were gathered. Symptom responses, duration, diagnosis of main post-COVID symptoms, and detection of noble symptoms including musculoskeletal pain, functional disability, and cognitive impairments were examined in two enrollment periods. During non-delta, structured symptom responses were used, while during delta, The COVID-19 Yorkshire Rehabilitation Scale was used (C19-YRS). WHO’s Clinical Progression scale measures COVID-19's symptoms severity. The questionnaire was written in English and translated into Bangla; a forward and backward translation was undertaken to ensure internal consistency.
Results: Among participants, the prevalence of Long COVID symptoms was higher in Delta variant than non-delta variant at 12 weeks which were 25.2% and 16.1% respectively. Among common symptoms, delta respondents had a number of upraise in new cases of Post COVID symptoms as compared to non-delta as there was decline in symptoms frequency and 14.8% of delta respondents had new symptoms of musculoskeletal pain that they had not experienced anytime in-specific before COVID. Respondents with a severe COVID-19 infection during delta variant transmission experienced additional layer of burden in the intensity of symptoms than during non-delta variant. They experienced more days of isolation and hospital admission and underwent intensive care (ICU). They had prolonged post COVID symptoms including Breathlessness, cough, concentration problem and problems in playing social role.
Conclusions: Delta, a variant of concern, induces a wide range of post-COVID symptoms that are new in strength, duration, pattern, and disease course.
Implications: The study predicted with the development of variants, the spectrum, intensity and duration of Post COVID symptoms would be more significant even after vaccination and the scope of rehabilitation would be more prominent.
Funding acknowledgements: The study was fully self-funded and had not received any funding from any external sources.
Keywords:
COVID-19
Delta variant
Non-delta variant
COVID-19
Delta variant
Non-delta variant
Topics:
COVID-19
COVID-19
Did this work require ethics approval? Yes
Institution: Institute of Physiotherapy, Rehabilitation and Research of Bangladesh Physiotherapy Association
Committee: Institute of Physiotherapy, Rehabilitation and Research (IPRR)
Ethics number: BPA-IPRR/IRB/17/09/2020/028
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
