Long COVID demographic and secondary care referral characteristics in primary care: analysis of anonymised primary care data from a multiethnic, deprived urban area in the UK.

Abstract

Once the nature and number of patients with Long COVID was more fully understood, UK secondary care developed services to investigate, treat and support these patients. We aimed to identify evidence for demographic health inequalities based on general practitioner (GP) Long COVID referrals to available secondary care services. Despite Long COVID demographics broadly reflecting the multiethnic and socially disadvantaged profile of the study population, we found that secondary care referral was mainly focussed on older age patients and those born in the UK with co-morbid anxiety; although co-morbid diabetes was associated with reduced referrals.