AN EXPLORATORY FACTOR ANALYSIS OF LONG COVID

An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) can provide a window into the latent dimensions of disease, such as Long COVID. Discovering factors COVID enables researchers and clinicians to better conceptualize, study treat this disease. In study, participants were recruited from social media sites dedicated Among 480 participants, those who completed at least 90% survey, reported symptoms for two or more months since COVID-19 symptom onset, had not been hospitalized used in EFA. The mean duration initial onset was 74.0 (37.3) weeks. A new questionnaire called DePaul Symptom Questionnaire-COVID assess self-reports frequency severity 38 experienced over most recent month. burdensome “Symptoms that get worse after physical mental activities (also known Post-Exertional Malaise),” “Fatigue/extreme tiredness,” “Difficulty thinking and/or concentrating,” “Sleep problems,” “Muscle aches.” EFA resulted three-factor model with labeled General, PEM/Fatigue/Cognitive Dysfunction, Psychological, consisting 16, 6, 3 items respectively (25 total). reliability .90 using split-half test. Finally, participant self-reported level functional impairment analyzed across three factors. Interpretations applications research practice are provided.