This study aimed to assess how lingering symptoms of COVID-19 affect the overall quality of life of affected individuals. The study included 153 participants who were admitted to a public hospital in Istanbul with a confirmed SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis between March 1 and May 11, 2020. These individuals were monitored through either phone or in-person consultations at the COVID-19 follow-up outpatient clinic for 4 to 12 weeks after their discharge. The cohort consisted of 43.3% females and 56.7% males, with an average age of 48.1 ± 13.4 years (ranging from 23 to 75 years). The average number of hospital admissions was 7.9 ± 4.6 (ranging from 1 to 32). The white blood cell count, a known inflammatory marker, significantly decreased by the 12th week in comparison to the 4th and 8th weeks (P < 0.05). The most prevalent prolonged symptoms were myalgia, reported by 64.9% of patients, followed by fatigue at 62.8%, and forgetfulness at 58.7%. Other common symptoms included anxiety (58.8%), sleep disturbances (58.7%), fear (42.3%), and irritability (51.5%), with a significant association with symptom duration (P = 0.000). The findings suggest that the multifaceted nature of prolonged COVID-19 symptoms continues to impact patients’ quality of life. Further research is needed to explore the root causes of these long-term symptoms.
