Post-COVID syndrome: incidence, clinical spectrum and challenges for primary health care professionals
According to the criteria, post-COVID syndrome is a condition in which a patient’s symptoms persist for more than three weeks after being diagnosed with COVID-19. The article analyzes the current data on post-COVID syndrome with an emphasis on clinical manifestations, as well as on the problems associated with its treatment by primary health care professionals. The incidence of postCOVID syndrome is estimated at 10-35%, while for hospitalized patients it can reach 85%. Fatigue is the most common symptom, occurring in 17.5-72% of cases, followed by residual dyspnea (10-40%). Mental problems, chest pain, and olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions can affect up to 26, 22 and 11% of patients, respectively. Published data indicate that more than a third of patients with post-COVID syndrome already had comorbidities, of which hypertension and diabetes mellitus were the most common. It has also been reported that the prognosis is good for most patients with post-COVID syndrome, with no further complications or deaths. Given the clinical spectrum of patients with post-COVID syndrome, most of them will be treated by primary health care professionals who play a key role in the management of patients with this syndrome. As the long-term consequences of COVID-19 remain largely unclear, further research is needed to elucidate the pathogenesis, clinical spectrum and prognosis of post-COVID syndrome.