Andy
Retired committee member
The scale of chronic ill health and disability after COVID-19 has been described as the next big global health challenge.1
Prevalence estimates of a post-COVID-19 condition, long COVID, or post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 vary according to definition, methodology, and population. A recent systematic review reported persistent symptoms at 3–6 months in a median of 57% (range 13–92) of hospitalised patients (six studies) and 26% (2–62) of non-hospitalised patients (ten studies).2 This study and other reviews identified few studies from low-income settings,3 but with more than 245 million SARS-CoV-2 infections reported globally,4 millions of people are likely to already be experiencing long-term illness. While COVID-19 vaccines have reduced the risk of severe COVID-19 and death, continued high rates of SARS-CoV-2 infection will lead to further disability, having a huge impact on individuals, their families, health services, and society.
Patients coined the unifying term long COVID, 5
but there is not yet a health professional consensus definition or nomenclature. In October, 2021, WHO used a Delphi method to develop a clinical definition of post-COVID-19 condition as a range of symptoms occurring 3 or more months after probable or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection that last for at least 2 months, cannot be explained by an alternative diagnosis, generally have an impact on daily functioning, and may fluctuate or relapse over time.6 A separate definition is recommended for children.6 Other definitions use different time frames and terminology,7, 8 but remain difficult to apply in research and clinical management.
Open access, https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)02444-2/fulltext
Prevalence estimates of a post-COVID-19 condition, long COVID, or post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 vary according to definition, methodology, and population. A recent systematic review reported persistent symptoms at 3–6 months in a median of 57% (range 13–92) of hospitalised patients (six studies) and 26% (2–62) of non-hospitalised patients (ten studies).2 This study and other reviews identified few studies from low-income settings,3 but with more than 245 million SARS-CoV-2 infections reported globally,4 millions of people are likely to already be experiencing long-term illness. While COVID-19 vaccines have reduced the risk of severe COVID-19 and death, continued high rates of SARS-CoV-2 infection will lead to further disability, having a huge impact on individuals, their families, health services, and society.
Patients coined the unifying term long COVID, 5
but there is not yet a health professional consensus definition or nomenclature. In October, 2021, WHO used a Delphi method to develop a clinical definition of post-COVID-19 condition as a range of symptoms occurring 3 or more months after probable or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection that last for at least 2 months, cannot be explained by an alternative diagnosis, generally have an impact on daily functioning, and may fluctuate or relapse over time.6 A separate definition is recommended for children.6 Other definitions use different time frames and terminology,7, 8 but remain difficult to apply in research and clinical management.
Open access, https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)02444-2/fulltext
