Long COVID in the Long Run-23-Month Follow-up Study of Persistent Symptoms

Gunnhild Helmsdal; Katrin Dahl Hanusson; Marnar Fríðheim Kristiansen; Billa Mouritsardóttir Foldbo; Marjun Eivindardóttir Danielsen; Bjarni Á Steig; Shahin Gaini; Marin Strøm; Pál Weihe; Maria Skaalum Petersen

doi:10.1093/ofid/ofac270

Long COVID in the Long Run-23-Month Follow-up Study of Persistent Symptoms

Open Forum Infect Dis. 2022 Jun 6;9(7):ofac270. doi: 10.1093/ofid/ofac270. eCollection 2022 Jul.

Affiliations

¹ Department of Occupational Medicine and Public Health, The Faroese Hospital System, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands.
² Centre of Health Sciences, University of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands.
³ Medical Department, National Hospital of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands.

Abstract

Symptoms of long coronavirus disease (COVID) were found in 38% of 170 patients followed for a median of 22.6 months. The most prevalent symptoms were fatigue, affected taste and smell, and difficulties remembering and concentrating. Predictors for long COVID were older age and number of symptoms in the acute phase. Long COVID may take many months, maybe years, to resolve.

Keywords: COVID-19; Faroe Islands; long-COVID; longitudinal study; persistent symptoms.