Yümin, Eylem TütünSürmeli, MahmutTopcuoğlu, CeyhunGöksülük, Merve BaşolYümin, Murat2023-09-012023-09-012023Tütün Yümin, E., Sürmeli, M., Topcuoğlu, C., Başol Göksülük, M., & Yümin, M. (2023). The Symptom Experience and Functioning of Non-Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients Within the First 20 days. Clinical Nursing Research, 32(3), 608-617.1054-77381552-3799http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/10547738231155729https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12491/11633The adverse physical, psychological, and mental health consequences associated with COVID-19 illness are well-documented. However, how specific symptoms change over time and how COVID-19 affects one's day-to-day activities of daily living (ADL), Quality of Life (QoL), sleep quality, and fatigue severity are not well described. This longitudinal and descriptive study examined the changes in COVID-19 symptoms, ADL, QoL, sleep quality, and fatigue severity within the first 20 days. A convenience sample (n = 41) of non-hospitalized SARS-CoV-2 positive patients were recruited and followed for 20 days. Participants completed self-report measures: COVID-19 symptoms, ADL, QoL, sleep quality, and fatigue severity at days: 1, 10, and 20 following a diagnosis. Findings revealed that symptoms decreased over 20 days (p < .001). In parallel with the decrease in symptoms, QoL and ADL improved over 20 days (p < .05). However, sleep quality and fatigue severity did not improve within 20 days (p > .05). Our findings contribute to the growing evidence that COVID-19 symptoms can linger, especially fatigue and sleep quality, that affect overall day-to-day functioning for at least 20 days after diagnosis. To mitigate the effect of COVID-19 on QOL and ADL, findings underscore the need for clinicians to work collaboratively with patients to develop a symptom management plan for a variety of symptoms including fatigue and sleep quality. Beginning to repurpose existing self-management strategies for the longer term COVID-19 symptoms could be beneficial and help to optimize patient outcomes. Future work should examine these variables over a longer timeframe and among different samples of non-hospitalized patients.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessCOVID-19Quality of LifeActivities of Daily LivingFatigue Severity ScaleMultiple-SclerosisReliabilityArticle10.1177/10547738231155729323608617367992612-s2.0-85148533734Q2WOS:000937540900001Q2