The European consultancy Cegedim Health Data Spainafter analyzing the data offered The Health Improvement Network (‘THIN‘) Spainhas revealed that it takes an average of five months for a patient to be diagnosed with persistent Covid-19 by the National Health System (SNS).
The symptoms of long Covid can be so varied and non-specific that it is likely that this is one of the causes of the delay in diagnosisHowever, the most frequent are fatigue, body achesdifficulties for breathe, tos persistent and cognitive dysfunctions such as confusion, memory loss, or lack of concentration.
In addition, to be considered the condition post-covid In a patient, these symptoms must occur four to 12 weeks after having suffered the viruseither constantly or intermittently.
The symptoms of long Covid can be so varied and non-specific that this is likely to be one of the causes of the delay in diagnosis.
This analysis also confirms that the post-covid condition generally occurs twice as often in women as in menLikewise, the age group affected has been increasing. If in 2022 it was more present in people between 40 and 44 years old, now it is in patients between 60 and 64 years of age.
“Although it is true that new variants such as the FLiRTpredominant this summer in Spain and almost all Europais causing fewer cases of persistent Covid-19, this decrease does not reduce the clinical importance required by this syndrome, which should be given the proper follow-up to be able to best care for patients with this condition,” he said. Carlos Iglesiasmedical director of Cegedim Health Data Spain.
Psychological disorders, such as depression or anxiety, are also often present.
The other observation that can be drawn from the analysis of the data from 2022 to May 2024 is that the decision-making anxiolytics before contracting the SARS-CoV-2 It could perhaps be related to a greater predisposition to suffer from persistent Covid-19. Specifically, according to data from ‘THIN’ Spain, the chronicity of Covid-19 occurs 20% more in those patients who were taking medication with that type of medication. drugs before infection than in those who were not.
“Although this association may be indirect and the taking of anxiolytics may be associated with a certain patient profile that is the one that is linked to that higher risk suffering from the post-COVID condition, it could be interesting to do more comprehensive studies that can analyze the real existence of this observed association,” Iglesias stressed.
In turn, the psychological disorders such as anxiety or depression They are also usually present, so around 7% start treatment with anxiolytics after the infection and after the onset of symptoms of their illness. chronologyprobably due to the physical symptoms themselves and the period of time it took for this condition to be recognized.
The content of ConSalud is prepared by journalists specialising in health and endorsed by a committee of top-level experts. However, we recommend that readers consult a healthcare professional for any health-related questions.
