Effects on Fatigue and Depression 11 And 19 Months after a Sars-Cov-2 Infection a Case Control Study

Background: Long- and post-COVID syndrome still needs research. Providing help to the large number of affected individuals in a professional manner is only possible if convincing data on their pathophysiology and the duration of symptoms is provided. Objectives: To investigate the incidence of symptoms of fatigue and depression 12 months and 19 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection in comparison to a SARS-CoV-2 negative control cohort. Materials and methods: The presence of fatigue and depression was evaluated in both groups via Fatigue Scale for Motor and Cognitive Functions (FSMC) and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Results: 185 SARS-CoV-2 PCR-positive subjects and 168 subjects with negative SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers were recruited. General fatigue symptoms were more common in the SARS-CoV-2 positive group (OR initially 3.8; 95% CI 2.1 to 6.7). During follow up the odds ratio concerning the development of symptoms of fatigue decreased while still being statistically significant (OR follow-up 2.6; 95% CI 1.5 to 4.6). The association of the infection with motor fatigue, is higher in comparison to cognitive fatigue (OR initial 3.5 and follow-up 3.2 vs OR initial 3.0 and follow-up 2.4). After 19 months, clinically relevant depressive symptoms are no longer significantly more frequent in the SARS-CoV-2 positive cohort (OR initial 3.0 ; 95% CI 1.4 to 6.1/OR Follow-Up 1.1; 95% CI 0.6 to 2.0). Conclusion: Symptoms of fatigue and depression were initially registered more than twice more frequently in SARS-CoV-2 positive subjects. During follow-up, the association of general fatigue and SARS-CoV-2 infection decreased, while still being significant. In this context motor fatigue showed the strongest association with SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, the association between symptoms of depression and the initial infection could no longer be observed.