MAIN SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS AFTER HOSPITALIZATION BY COVID-19 IN ADULTS: INTEGRATIVE LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the articles, available in the literature, on the main persistent signs and symptoms in adult patients after hospital discharge due to the coronavirus disease worldwide, throughout the month of July 2022. As a method, we used the integrative literature review guided by a six-step theoretical framework (1. identification of the theme and selection of the hypothesis or research question; 2. establishment of criteria for inclusion and exclusion and search in the literature; 3. definition of information to be extracted from the selected studies; 4. evaluation of included studies; 5. interpretation of results; and 6. synthesis of knowledge), with search in online databases, being the methodology guided by the PRISMA flowchart, accepted and suggested worldwide for this type of research. revision. A total of 1631 studies were identified, of which 30 met the eligibility criteria, with a predominance of Level 4 evidence (n=25; 80.6%). The main signs and symptoms evidenced were: fatigue, asthenia or muscle weakness (n=28; 90.3%); dyspnea (n=19; 61.2%); depression (n=15; 48.3%); anxiety (n=12; 38.7%); musculoskeletal pain (n=9; 29.3%); cognitive changes (n=9; 29.3%), sleep disorders (n=8; 25.8%) and persistent cough (n=7; 22.5%). The present review made it possible to identify which are the most common sequelae in patients hospitalized by the coronavirus, and can serve as a basis for organizing new prospective investigations on the current health status of individuals who were affected by COVID-19 and required hospitalization.