Prevalence of long COVID in a national cohort: longitudinal measures from disease onset until 8 months’ follow-up

• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2022.06.031
• Publication Date: 2022-06-23T16:04:37Z
• Authors: Maria Skaalum Pet...; Marnar Fríðheim K...; Katrin Dahl Hanusson; Billa Mouritsardó...; Marjun Eivindardó...; Bjarni á Steig; Shahin Gaini; Marin Strøm; Pál Weihe
• Keywords: Longitudinal Study

Persistence of COVID-19 symptoms in nonhospitalized individuals beyond a few months has not been well characterized. In this longitudinal study from the Faroe Islands, we present prevalence long COVID mainly patients who were followed up for to 8 months.All Faroese with confirmed diagnosis August December 2020 invited participate (n = 297). Demographic and clinical characteristics self-reported ascertained prospectively using detailed questionnaire administered at repeated phone interviews.A total 226 participated baseline (226/297, 76% participation rate), whom 170 participants had more than 3 follow-up. Of these, 39% 67/170, 95% confidence interval [CI] 32-37%) reported persistent (median [range] 168 [93-231] days) after acute phase 8% 14/170, CI 5-13%) severe symptoms. The most prevalent fatigue (17%) smell taste (14%) dysfunction. Long was common people reporting daily medication use (odds ratio 2.34, 1.02-5.37).Our results show that may take resolve, even among individuals, mild illness phase. Continued monitoring is needed evaluate added risk potential public health concern.