Clinical Characteristics and Long-Term Effects of COVID-19 in a Secondary Care Hospital in South India: A Study of Post-acute Sequelae and Pulmonary Outcomes

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in significant global morbidity, with long-term effects known as post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC) or long COVID syndrome. This study investigates the clinical characteristics and long-term effects of COVID-19 in a rural South Indian population. Conducted in a secondary healthcare setting in Kerala, India, the study involved 65 subjects who had tested positive for COVID-19 more than 90 days prior. Participants completed a detailed questionnaire on common COVID-19 and PASC symptoms and underwent pulmonary function testing. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, point-biserial correlation, and logistic regression. The prevalence of PASC symptoms was found to be 55.4%, with dyspnea being the most common symptom. Healthcare workers experienced a lower prevalence of PASC (41.9%) compared to non-healthcare workers (67.6%). Logistic regression indicated higher odds of PASC in men, non-healthcare workers, and those with comorbidities, though these findings were not statistically significant. Pulmonary function tests revealed reduced forced vital capacity in 23.1% of subjects. The study highlights the significant impact of long COVID on this unvaccinated population prior to the Delta wave, emphasizing the need for ongoing research to understand and manage the long-term effects of COVID-19.