RESULTS
A total of 196 individuals initially met the inclusion criteria;
however, 16 individuals were excluded from the study because they did
not complete the questionnaire. Therefore, 180 participants were
included. The mean age was 26.08 ± 6.62 years, while the mean age at
menarche was 13.28 ± 1.35 years.
The patients’ sociodemographic and COVID-19 disease related data are
shown in Table 1. None of the participants were diagnosed with female
reproductive diseases. Three (1.7%) participants had been admitted due
to pneumonia and hypoxemia, 17 (9.4%) participants had COVID-19-related
pulmonary radiological findings, and 95 (52.8%) participants had been
treated with favipiravir. The most common prolonged COVID-19 symptoms
were fatigue (52.8%), muscle–joint pain (38.3%), and headache
(32.2%).
Pre- and post-COVID-19 MSQ scores, FSS scores, and VAS scores are shown
in Table 2. After the diagnosis of COVID-19, the individuals had
significantly higher MSQ total scores (Z = -4.196), negative
effects/somatic complaints (Z = -3.970), pain symptoms (Z = -3.342),
coping methods subgroup scores of MSQ (Z = -2.469), FSS scores (Z =
-8.929), and menstrual pain scores (Z = -5.265) than those before the
diagnosis of COVID-19.
The correlation between Δ MSQ scores and age, body mass index, age at
menarche, Δ FSS scores, Δ menstrual pain, and CAS scores was examined. Δ
MSQ scores had a significant negative mild-to-moderate correlation with
the age at menarche (r = −0.158) and a significant positive
mild-to-moderate correlation with the Δ FSS score (r = 0.516) and the Δ
menstrual pain score (r = 0.334). A negative significant correlation was
found between age at menarche and Δ MSQ-negative effects/somatic
complaints subgroup scores (r = -0.160) and Δ MSQ-coping methods
subgroup scores (r = -0.185). Δ FSS and Δ menstrual pain scores were
positively correlated with negative effects/somatic complaints subgroup
scores (r = 0.528 and r = 0.299, respectively), pain symptoms subgroup
scores (r = 0.45 and r = 0.337, respectively) and coping methods
subgroup scores (r = 0.368 and r = 371, respectively) (Table 3).
Multiple linear regression analysis identified age at menarche and FSS
and VAS scores as significant contributors to 38.4% of the variance
explained in the significant regression for MSQ scores (F (3.176) =
38.23, p < 0.001; Table 4).
The Δ MSQ scores of the individuals did not differ according to
education level, smoking status or time passed after the diagnosis of
COVID-19. The Δ MSQ scores of the individuals were compared according to
the prolonged COVID-19 symptoms. Individuals with prolonged fatigue,
muscle–joint pain, and dyspnea symptoms showed increased Δ MSQ total
scores (Z = -2.775, Z = -2.594, Z = -1.994, respectively) and Δ negative
effects/somatic complaints subgroup scores (Z = -2.907, Z = -3.052, Z =
-2.393, respectively). Individuals with prolonged gastrointestinal
symptoms showed increased Δ pain symptoms subgroup scores (Z = −2.182)
and coping methods subgroup scores (Z = −3.082), while those with
prolonged muscle and joint pain symptoms showed increased Δ coping
methods subgroup scores (Z = -2.288) (Table 5).
The sample size of the study was calculated using the G*Power 3.1.9.4
Sample Size Calculator program (Universitat Düsseldorf), considering the
180-person sample and the Δ MSQ total score after COVID-19 diagnosis
(2.29 ± 8.16). Accordingly, the power of the study was calculated to be
96.2% (α = 0.05).