Journal Article

Persistent Symptoms and Associated Risk Factors of COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study in Minia, Upper Egypt

Sharawe Taha, Mohamed Ahmed, Sadek, Eman Mohamed, AlRasheed, Hayam Ali, Bassem, Asmaa, Bahaa, Mostafa M., Hussein, Amal, El Sayed, Salah Mohamed, Kamal, Marwa

2025

Overview

Background: A significant number of COVID-19 survivors around the world have been reporting persistent symptoms following their recovery. Long COVID is recognized as a condition affecting not only the respiratory but also the gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, neurological, immune, and hematopoietic systems. Objective: This study aimed to describe persistent symptoms in COVID-19 survivors six months post-infection in Minia, Upper Egypt, and investigate associated risk factors. Methods: This observational cross-sectional study included 189 hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients previously diagnosed with COVID-19. Demographic data, symptom severity, comorbidities, and persistent symptoms were collected. A logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors associated with long COVID, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results: In total, 68.8% of participants were women, and 83.5% of patients reported at least one ongoing symptom. The most self-reported symptoms were fatigue (73.5%) and myalgia (45.5%), followed by dyspnea (43.3%). Age was associated with an increased risk of developing long COVID (OR 1.028, 95% CI 1.003–1.054, p = 0.030). Patients who were hospitalized during the acute phase had more than twice the risks of having persistent symptoms (OR 2.384, 95% CI 1.055–5.387, p = 0.037). Conclusions: A substantial proportion of COVID-19 survivors in Minia, Upper Egypt, continues to experience persistent symptoms, primarily constitutional and neurological manifestations. Many patients reported self-medicating with unprescribed antibiotics, highlighting a need for public awareness regarding viral infections and the risks associated with improper antibiotic use.

• Publisher: MDPI AG,MDPI
• Subject: Antibiotics / Confidentiality / Cross-sectional studies / Dyspnea / Ethics / Fatigue / Health aspects / Hospital patients / Hospitalization / Hospitals / Illnesses / Infection / Long COVID / Medical history / Medical research / Medicine, Experimental / Missing data / Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome / Patients / Polymerase chain reaction / Questionnaires / Regression analysis / Risk factors / Self-medication / Variables / Ventilators