Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 Checklist (PASC-C): a screening tool for Long COVID physical, psychological, and cognitive symptoms

Ann Ist Super Sanita. 2024 Jan-Mar;60(1):47-54. doi: 10.4415/ANN_24_01_07.

Abstract

Background: The management of Long COVID symptoms is necessary. This study proposes a screening tool for psycho-physical COVID-19 sequelae. Patients' experiences after COVID-19 are also described.

Method: 84 COVID-19 patients (66.2±11.0 years old; 71.4% male) underwent a phone interview 1-2 years after the disease using the ad-hoc "Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 Checklist (PASC-C)". It explores 30 physical, psychological, and cognitive symptoms clustered into 10 areas, with possible clinical recommendations in case of high severity scores (>50) of a symptom or the presence of two or more ones within the same area.

Results: Overall, fatigue (69%), dyspnea (52.4%), memory disturbances (44%), joint-muscle pain (41.7%), vision/hearing loss (40.5%), anxiety (40.5%) persist one-two years after COVID-19 disease. Being a survivor was primarily defined in terms of being "lucky".

Conclusions: PASC-C seems promising in monitoring psycho-physical sequelae of Long COVID and providing tailored suggestions to care for the patient over time.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anxiety* / etiology
  • Anxiety* / psychology
  • COVID-19* / complications
  • COVID-19* / psychology
  • Checklist*
  • Dyspnea / etiology
  • Dyspnea / psychology
  • Fatigue / etiology
  • Fatigue / psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome*
  • SARS-CoV-2