Factors Associated with Self-Reported Post/Long-COVID—A Real-World Data Study

Anja Thronicke, Maximilian Hinse, Stefanie Weinert, Alexandra Jakubowski, Gerrit Grieb and Harald Matthes ()
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Anja Thronicke: Research Institute Havelhöhe, Kladower Damm 221, 14089 Berlin, Germany
Maximilian Hinse: Research Institute Havelhöhe, Kladower Damm 221, 14089 Berlin, Germany
Stefanie Weinert: Research Institute Havelhöhe, Kladower Damm 221, 14089 Berlin, Germany
Alexandra Jakubowski: Department of Intensive Care and Cardiology, Hospital Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Havelhoehe, Kladower Damm 221, 14089 Berlin, Germany
Gerrit Grieb: Department of Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery, Hospital Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Havelhoehe, Kladower Damm 221, 14089 Berlin, Germany
Harald Matthes: Research Institute Havelhöhe, Kladower Damm 221, 14089 Berlin, Germany

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 23, 1-12

Abstract: Evidence suggests that Post/Long-COVID (PLC) is associated with a reduced health-related quality of life, however little knowledge exists on the risk factors that contribute to PLC. The objective of this prospective real-world data study was to evaluate factors associated with PLC using national online survey data. Adjusted multivariable regression analyses were performed using the software R. Between 14 April and 15 June 2021, 99 registered individuals reported to have suffered from PLC symptoms and the most common PLC symptoms reported were fatigue, dyspnoea, decreased strength, hyposmia, and memory loss. The odds of individuals suffering from COVID-19-associated anxiety, hyposmia, or heart palpitations developing PLC were eight times (OR 8.28, 95% CI 1.43–47.85, p < 0.01), five times (OR 4.74, 95% CI 1.59–14.12, p < 0.005), or three times (OR 2.62, 95% CI 1.72–3.99, p < 0.01) higher, respectively, than of those who had not experienced these symptoms. Individuals who experienced fatigue while having COVID-19 were seven times more likely to develop PLC fatigue than those who had not (OR 6.52, 95% CI: 4.29–9.91, p < 0.0001). Our findings revealed that 13% of the individuals who had previously suffered from COVID-19 subsequently reported having PLC. Furthermore, COVID-19-associated anxiety, hyposmia, heart palpitations, and fatigue were, among others, significant determinants for the development of PLC symptoms. Hyposmia has not previously been reported as an independent predictive factor for PLC. We suggest closely monitoring patients with COVID-19-induced fatigue, heart palpitations, and anxiety, as these symptoms may be predictors of PLC symptoms, including fatigue.

Keywords: COVID-19; long COVID; post/long COVID; PLC; post-acute COVID-19 syndrome; real-world data study; association factors (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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