Volume 27, Issue 136, June 2023

Prevalence and clinical aspects of post COVID-19 infection complications among population of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Fathi El-Gamal^1♦, Ahmed Jiman², Mohammed Aljabri², Hussam Aljuhani², Asem Fadel², Nawaf Aljedaani²

¹Professor and Chairman of the Family Medicine Department, Ibn Sina National College for Medical Studies, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
²Ibn Sina National College for Medical Studies, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

^♦Corresponding author
Professor and Chairman of the Family Medicine Department, Ibn Sina National College for Medical Studies, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT

COVID-19 could lead to several extra-respiratory system specific manifestations and complications. This study aimed at exploring the occurrence and determinants of post COVID-19 infection complications among the population in Jeddah city. It was a cross section study where a convenient sample of 367 subjects from the population of Jeddah city was selected. They were asked a questionnaire which provided responses on personal and socio-demographic characteristics, as well as on clinical aspects and complications of post COVID-19 infection. The SPSS (IBM, P/C, ver 25) was used to analyze the data. Logistic regression and Chi square tests of significance were employed. The level of significance was 0.05. Although 96% of the subjects were vaccinated by COVID-19 vaccinations, 50% got the infection. Having chronic morbidity was significantly associated with catching the infection. Those with hypothyroidism were about 3times more likely to catch COVID-19 infection (OR= 3.297; 95 CI: 1.062, 10.237 and p<0.039). Vaccination by Pfizer vaccine gave more protection than other vaccine types. Completion of vaccine doses was significantly associated with decreased occurrence of COVID-19 infection. Majority of the cases were diagnosed by PCR analysis. Post COVID-19 infection complications were persistent fatigue, arthritis, headache and loss of smell and taste. Depression, anxiety, brain fog, dysrhythmia and dyspnea and lung fibrosis were also reported by older subjects. COVID-19 is a highly contagious disease. The available vaccines do not confer solid protection against it.

Keywords: COVID-19, Saudi Arabia, Post infection complications

Medical Science, 2023, 27, e261ms3063

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi/v27i136/e261ms3063

Published: 12 June 2023