Characteristics of long-COVID among older adults: a cross-sectional study.
Int J Infect Dis
; 125: 287-293, 2022 Dec.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-36191820
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES:
To describe long-COVID symptoms among older adults and to assess the risk factors for two common long-COVID symptoms fatigue and dyspnea.METHODS:
This is a multicenter, prospective cohort study conducted in Israel, Switzerland, Spain, and Italy. Individuals were included at least 30 days after their COVID-19 diagnosis. We compared long-COVID symptoms between elderly (aged >65 years) and younger individuals (aged 18-65 years) and conducted univariate and multivariable analyses for the predictors of long-COVID fatigue and dyspnea.RESULTS:
A total of 2333 individuals were evaluated at an average of 5 months (146 days [95% confidence interval 142-150]) after COVID-19 onset. The mean age was 51 years, and 20.5% were aged >65 years. Older adults were more likely to be symptomatic, with the most common symptoms being fatigue (38%) and dyspnea (30%); they were more likely to complain of cough and arthralgia and have abnormal chest imaging and pulmonary function tests. Independent risk factors for long-COVID fatigue and dyspnea included female gender, obesity, and closer proximity to COVID-19 diagnosis; older age was not an independent predictor.CONCLUSION:
Older individuals with long-COVID have different persisting symptoms, with more pronounced pulmonary impairment. Women and individuals with obesity are at risk. Further research is warranted to investigate the natural history of long-COVID among the elderly population and to assess possible interventions aimed at promoting rehabilitation and well-being.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
COVID-19
/
Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome
Type of study:
Clinical_trials
/
Observational_studies
/
Prevalence_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limits:
Aged
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Middle aged
Language:
En
Journal:
Int J Infect Dis
Journal subject:
DOENCAS TRANSMISSIVEIS
Year:
2022
Document type:
Article