Examining the long-term effects of COVID-19 in surgical nurses: Case of Aegean Region

Abstract

Purpose: To examine the long-term effects of COVID-19 on surgical nurses.

Background: Individuals contaminated with COVID-19 may face several metabolic or psychological issues, primarily in the respiratory, cardiovascular, nervous, musculoskeletal and renal systems during the late period. However, the long-term epidemiology is still not clear.

Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study.

Methods: The study included nurses (n = 509) who had been diagnosed with COVID-19 at least 12 weeks before and worked in surgical departments. We collected the study data via an online survey using the snowball sampling method between December 2021 and May 2022. This study followed the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology Guideline.

Results: The mean age of the nurses was 31.66 ± 8.74 years. Nurses stated that they were diagnosed with COVID-19 approximately 36 weeks before participating in this study. We found that the nurses mostly experienced palpitation (83.5%), headache (73.5%), dyspnea (64.1%), anosmia (57.6%), arthralgia (55.7%) and burnout (58.4%) during the late period after COVID-19.

Conclusion: The long-term effects of COVID-19 were related to multiple organ dysfunctions.

No patient or public contribution: Since the study was conducted with healthy individuals who had previously experienced COVID-19, there is no patient contribution.

Relevance to clinical practice: This study focuses on the long-term effects of COVID-19 on nurses. The results support the long-term effects of COVID-19 and are thought to contribute to the literature.

Keywords: COVID‐19; long‐term effect; post‐COVID‐19 syndrome; surgical nursing.