[Long-term persistence of post-COVID-19 symptoms: A two-year follow-up of a Primary Care cohort].

Abstract

Background: This study aims to determine the prevalence of long COVID two years after initial infection, identify prognostic factors, and assess its impact on quality of life.

Methodology: An ambispective cohort study was conducted with patients aged = 18 years from two health centers in Málaga, Spain, who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 between October 2020 and May 2021. Systematic random sampling was performed in October 2022, with 5% precision, 5% alpha error, and 25% expected losses. The cohort was followed until May 2023. Dependent variables included long COVID (= 1 symptom lasting =8 weeks), symptom count, quality of life (EuroQol 5-D), and global health perception (EQ-EVA). Independent variables included age, sex, severity of initial infection severity, vaccination status, comorbidities, and reinfection.

Results: Of 914 eligible individuals, 173 patients were sampled (mean age 47 years, 58.4% female). Long COVID was observed in 32.36% of participants, with 23% affected two years after infection. Fatigue and anosmia/dysgeusia were the most frequent symptoms. Prognostic factors for long COVID included higher initial infection severity, younger age, and reinfection. For symptom count, factors were depression, initial infection severity, and reinfection. Health perception was eight points lower in long COVID patients (77.72: SD=17.10 vs 86.15; SD=16.25; p<0.001). Female sex, older age, fewer comorbidities, and more vaccine doses were associated with better quality of life.

Conclusions: Thirty-two percent of patients experienced long COVID, mainly fatigue and anosmia/dysgeusia. It associates with higher initial severity, younger age, and reinfection, negatively impacting quality of life.