Resource: Attributes and Predictors of Long COVID
Source: Nature
Summary: Although the “long COVID” syndrome is recognized, little is known about the prevalence, risk factors, or predictability of a protracted course of COVID. Short COVID is defined as symptoms lasting 10 days or less, whereas long COVID has symptoms for 28 days or more. This study evaluated 4182 PCR positive patients in the UK, US and Sweden, who prospectively self-reported their symptoms into a computerized database, with COVID negative patients used as controls.
In this study, 13.3% had symptoms lasting >28 days, and 4.5% had symptoms for >56 days, typically fatigue, headache, dyspnea and anosmia. Palpitations and tachycardia were reported by 6%, memory issues by 4%. Tinnitus and peripheral neuropathy were also reported.
The strongest predictor for Long COVID (>28 d) was increasing age, rising from 9.9% in the 18-49 year old group to 21.9% in those 70+. Having more than 5 symptoms during the first week of illness was strongly associated with long COVID. It was also associated with higher BMI, female sex, and pre-existing asthma. Patients with Long COVID were more likely to have relapsing symptoms.
Comment: This study adds to our understanding of the Long COVID syndrome, and shows that it is not a rare complication of the acute disease. Surgeons should be aware of the symptoms.
