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Hanieh Radkhah, Assistant professor of Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Sina Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mehrnia Omidali, Medical student, School of Medicine, Hazrat-e Rasool General Hospital, Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
Alireza Hejrati, Associate Professor of Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Hazrat-e Rasool General Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Razman Arabzadeh Bahri, . Medical student, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Sara Arefi, Medical student, School of Medicine, Hazrat-e Rasool General Hospital, Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
Amirhossein Behzadi, Medical student, School of Medicine, Hazrat-e Rasool General Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mohamad Eslami, Medical student, Students' Scientific Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mohammadmehdi Khadembashiri, Medical student, Students' Scientific Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mohammadamin Khadembashiri, Medical student, Students' Scientific Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Maryam Najafirashed, Medical student, School of Medicine, Hazrat-e Rasool General Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Bahareh Shateri Amiri, Assistant professor of Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Hazrat-e Rasool General Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranFollow

Abstract

Background: : Long-COVID refers to lasting unspecific symptoms like fatigue, decreased concentration and sleep issues after infection which persist for at least three months and cannot be attributed to other causes. Previous studies surveyed the association between inflammatory markers like C - reactive protein (CRP) at hospital admission and long-COVID symptoms in the preceding months. Post-COVID syndrome can affect one-third of patients. Thus early diagnosis can assist in reducing burdens on public health. We attempted to see any correlations between complete blood count (CBC) markers (like red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell (WBC), Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), etc.) at hospital admission and long COVID symptoms at a 6-month follow-up. Methods: 167 patients (44.9% females, mean age 49 years old) answered semi-structural interviews through telemedicine which focused on the three prominent symptoms: fatigue, loss of concentration and decreased libido. Results: Two third of patients have symptoms of long COVID and others do not have. NLR in the symptomatic group was statically higher. Patients who underwent decreased libido at a 6-month follow-up had significantly more severe lymphopenia (p=0.028) and higher NLR values (p-value=0.007). Poor mental concentration is associated with high WBC in numbers and polymorphonuclear (PMN) count. Other symptoms do not correlate with blood markers. Conclusion: Utilizing available data like CBC can help predict the upcoming symptoms of previously hospitalized patients and further measures like rehabilitation. Additional investigations should be done on the effect of COVID vaccination on converting long COVID. Different variants of the virus may have different results.

Additional Files
Translated Interview Supplement.docx (13 kB)
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