Epidemiological and clinical perspectives of long COVID syndrome

Katherine Huerne, Kristian B Filion, Roland Grad, Pierre Ernst, Andrea S Gershon, Mark J Eisenberg, Katherine Huerne, Kristian B Filion, Roland Grad, Pierre Ernst, Andrea S Gershon, Mark J Eisenberg

Abstract

Long COVID, or post-acute COVID-19 syndrome, is characterized by multi-organ symptoms lasting 2+ months after initial COVID-19 virus infection. This review presents the current state of evidence for long COVID syndrome, including the global public health context, incidence, prevalence, cardiopulmonary sequelae, physical and mental symptoms, recovery time, prognosis, risk factors, rehospitalization rates, and the impact of vaccination on long COVID outcomes. Results are presented by clinically relevant subgroups. Overall, 10-35% of COVID survivors develop long COVID, with common symptoms including fatigue, dyspnea, chest pain, cough, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, memory loss, and difficulty concentrating. Delineating these issues will be crucial to inform appropriate post-pandemic health policy and protect the health of COVID-19 survivors, including potentially vulnerable or underrepresented groups. Directed to policymakers, health practitioners, and the general public, we provide recommendations and suggest avenues for future research with the larger goal of reducing harms associated with long COVID syndrome.

Keywords: COVID-19; Cardiovascular; Long COVID syndrome; Post-acute; Respiratory.

Conflict of interest statement

We, the undersigned, state there are no conflicts of interest for our manuscript titled “Epidemiological and Clinical Perspectives of Long COVID Syndrome”.

© 2023 The Author(s).

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Summary of Clinical Sequelae Associated with Long COVID Syndrome. Abbreviations: y.o.: years old; ICU: intensive-care unit; COVID-19: severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2); BMI: body mass index.

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Source: PubMed

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