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Some 23% of individuals contaminated with SARS-CoV-2 between 2021 and 2023 developed lengthy COVID, and in additional than half of them the signs endured for 2 years. These are the principle conclusions of a research carried out by ISGlobal in collaboration with the Germans Trias i Pujol Analysis Institute (IGTP), as a part of the European END-VOC venture.
The danger of creating lengthy COVID is determined by a number of elements, in response to outcomes printed in BMC Drugs.
After overcoming an preliminary SARS-CoV-2 an infection, some folks develop lengthy COVID. It manifests itself with signs that persist for at the least three months, together with respiratory, neurological, digestive or basic signs, akin to fatigue and exhaustion. Most research of lengthy COVID have been carried out in a scientific context, which can not absolutely seize its affect on the final inhabitants.
“A population-based cohort study allowed us to better estimate the magnitude of long COVID and identify risk and protective factors,” explains Manolis Kogevinas, ISGlobal researcher and lead writer of the research.
The research adopted 2,764 adults from the COVICAT cohort, a population-based research designed to characterize the well being affect of the pandemic on the inhabitants of Catalonia. Contributors accomplished three questionnaires—in 2020, 2021 and 2023—and offered blood samples and medical data.
Threat and prevention elements
“Being a woman, having experienced a severe COVID-19 infection and having a pre-existing chronic disease such as asthma are clear risk factors,” says Marianna Karachaliou, co-author of the research and researcher at ISGlobal.
“In addition, we observed that people with obesity and high levels of IgG antibodies prior to vaccination were more likely to develop long COVID,” she provides. The latter issue could replicate hyperactivation of the immune system after the preliminary an infection, which in some instances could contribute to the persistence of long-term signs.
The evaluation additionally recognized protecting elements that would cut back the danger of creating the situation. These embody vaccination earlier than an infection and a wholesome way of life, which incorporates common bodily exercise and sufficient sleep.
As well as, the danger was decrease in individuals who have been contaminated after the omicron variant turned dominant. This may very well be defined by the tendency for infections to be milder or by larger basic immunity to COVID-19.
Three subtypes of lengthy COVID
Primarily based on the signs reported by the members and their medical data, the researchers recognized three scientific subtypes of lengthy COVID.
They have been categorised in response to whether or not the signs have been neurological and musculoskeletal, respiratory, or extreme and concerned a number of organs. As well as, the researchers discovered that 56% of individuals with lengthy COVID have been nonetheless experiencing signs two years later.
“Our results show that a significant percentage of the population has long COVID, which in some cases affects their quality of life,” says Judith Garcia-Aymerich, ISGlobal researcher and final writer of the research.
“Establishing collaborations with other countries will be key to understanding whether these findings can be extrapolated to other populations,” she concludes.
“On the fifth anniversary of COVID-19, significant progress has been made in understanding the disease. However, as this study shows, the pandemic’s impact on mental health, work, and quality of life remains profound. While this research is a step forward, much remains to be done to fully understand this invisible illness,” says Rafael de Cid, scientific director of GCAT at IGTP.
“The COVICAT cohort has been instrumental in advancing research, and we need to acknowledge the invaluable contribution of volunteers and the Blood and Tissue Bank team, particularly during the challenging times of 2020,” he provides.
Extra data:
Kogevinas, M. et al. Threat, Determinants and Persistence of long-COVID in a Inhabitants-Primarily based Cohort Research in Catalonia. BMC Drugs (2025). DOI: 10.1186/s12916-025-03974-7
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Barcelona Institute for International Well being
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Signs of lengthy COVID can last as long as two years after an infection, analysis suggests (2025, March 13)
retrieved 13 March 2025
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