Quality of life post-COVID recovery: A prospective observational study, North India

Background & objectives The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on global health. While most research has focused on the acute phase, long-term effects on survivors' quality of life (QoL) remain less understood. Persistent symptoms post-recovery highlight a critical gap in understanding the pandemic's impact on survivors. This study aims to evaluate the QoL of COVID-19 recovered individuals in Delhi, India, at baseline and after six months of recovery using the World Health Organization Quality of Life-Brief version (WHO-QOL BREF) Scale. Methods This prospective observational study spanned 15 months from May 2022 to July 2023 and covered 11 districts of Delhi. The study included 369 adults who recovered from COVID-19 at least 14 days prior and within the preceding six months. Participants were assessed at baseline and six months post-recovery using the WHO-QoL BREF Scale, measuring physical, psychological, social, and environmental domains. Data was described in QoL scores. Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and Wilcoxon signed Rank test were used; a P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Among 369 participants, 50.1 per cent were male and 49.9 per cent female. Baseline QoL scores showed no significant differences between participants with and without post-COVID syndrome (PCoVS). However, six months later, non-PCoVS participants reported significantly better scores in physical (P=0.004), psychological (P<0.001), social (P=0.002), and environmental health (P=0.003). Better QoL was associated with males, younger age, higher education, and absence of comorbidities. Interpretation & conclusions PCoVS significantly impacts survivors' QoL, necessitating continuous monitoring and tailored interventions to support recovery. This study underscores the importance of addressing long-term consequences to improve public health outcomes.