The Longevity of Long COVID and the Diagnosis-Related Challenges

Abstract

Background: Long COVID syndrome (LCS) is characterized by chronic symptoms of fatigue, cough, etc. after contracting COVID-19. This study aimed to identify the longevity of the symptoms of adults who reported suffering from LCS in our previous study which was conducted in 2021. The study population included patients who were referred to healthcare facilities (55 centers) in Fars province, Iran. Materials and Methods: This longitudinal retrospective and follow-up cohort study was conducted on adult patients who were hospitalized with COVID-19. We inquired about their current health status and obtained the information after they consented to participate and answer questions over the phone. Results: In total, 2383 people participated in the study, 543 of whom (27.3%) reported experiencing symptoms of LCS. Fatigue (12.2%) and exercise intolerance (10%) were the two most common symptoms of persistent LCS. On the other hand, 240 people (12.1%) who did not report any symptoms of LCS in phase 1 of the study reported experiencing problems that are compatible with the diagnosis of LCS. Patients with persistent LCS (long-LCS) had longer hospital stays during their initial illness (7 days vs. 5 days) and were more frequently admitted to ICUs (15.8% vs. 8.9%) compared with those without long-LCS. Conclusion: More than one-quarter of adults will continue to suffer from the symptoms of long-COVID for more than one year after their initial infection. The scientific community should develop validated measures and biomarkers to objectively diagnose and follow up this condition.