37% of COVID-19 recovered patients reported at least one long-term symptom: Oxford study

A large study from Oxford University and the National Institute for Health Research has revealed that 37% of patients who were infected by coronavirus reported at least one long-term Covid-19 symptom, three to six months after recovery.

After investigating symptoms in over 270,000 people recovering from Covid-19, Oxford University said the most common symptoms included breathing problems, fatigue, pain and anxiety.

The symptoms were more common among women and more frequent among people who had been previously hospitalised with Covid-19.

The study did not provide any detailed causes of long post-Covid symptoms, their severity, or how long they could last. However, it said, older people and men had more breathing difficulties and cognitive problems, whereas young people and women had more headaches, abdominal symptoms and anxiety or depression.

"We need to identify the mechanisms underlying the diverse symptoms that can affect survivors," said Oxford University professor Paul Harrison, who headed the study. "This information will be essential if the long-term health consequences of Covid-19 are to be prevented or treated effectively," Harrison added as quoted by Reuters.