Epidemiology of post-COVID conditions beyond 3 years and factors associated with their persistence longer than 2 years: A cross-sectional study.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the epidemiology of post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) conditions (PCCs) beyond 3 years and identify factors associated with their persistence longer than 2 years. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey. METHODS: We surveyed patients who had recovered from COVID-19 and visited our institution from February 2020 to November 2021. Demographic and clinical data and information on the presence and duration of PCCs were obtained. We identified factors associated with the persistence of PCCs longer than 2 years using multivariate linear regression analyses. RESULTS: Among 935 patients surveyed, 407 completed the survey. Among them, 360 patients had mild disease in the acute phase. The proportions of participants with at least one symptom at 1, 2, and 3 years after symptom onset or COVID-19 diagnosis were 33.2%, 29.8%, and 5.7%, respectively. The numbers of participants with and without any residual symptoms 2 years after the onset of COVID-19 were 87 and 193, respectively. After multivariate adjustment, persistence of PCCs longer than 2 years was associated with lower body mass index, presence of any underlying medical conditions, and number of symptoms lasting for more than 1 month ≥ 5. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of PCCs decreased 2 years after symptom onset or COVID-19 diagnosis. We also identified factors associated with PCC persistence longer than 2 years, which could help primary care physicians and patients with PCCs predict the duration of PCCs and better understand their natural history, thus reducing patients' anxiety about their duration.