Introduction: COVID-19 has left profound scars on the physical and mental health of adults. Disabling sequelae, such as fatigue and respiratory problems, are often associated with an increase in symptoms such as anxiety and depression, complicating the patient's overall recovery.
Objective: To establish the association between post-COVID-19 disabling sequelae and mental health symptoms in adult patients.
Methods: An analytical case-control study was conducted among patients seen at the municipal post-COVID-19 clinic, located at the José Martí Polyclinic in the city of Camagüey, between January and December 2021. From a population of 265 patients, a sample of 200 was selected, divided into two groups of 100, one case and one control. Sociodemographic variables, comorbidities, clinical manifestations, mental health symptoms, and psychosocial factors were analyzed.
Results: In the 20-39 age group, there was a significant association between patients with a history of COVID-19 who developed sequelae and those who did not. High blood pressure, loss of taste and smell, and depression were significantly more prevalent in patients with disabling post-COVID-19 sequelae. The study suggests that family support may be beneficial.
Conclusions: Disabling post-COVID-19 sequelae significantly affect the mental health of adult patients. The research reveals a correlation between the onset of sequelae and the increase in symptoms.