Considerations for epidemiological studies investigating emerging post-acute infection syndromes: Long Covid as a case study
Epidemiological research studies into Long Covid, currently defined by prolonged symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 infection, have reported widely varying prevalence estimates. As well as rapidly evolving scientific knowledge of Long Covid, these differences are partly driven by substantial methodological heterogeneity between studies, including the outcome definition of Long Covid; duration of follow-up; study design, period and population; sampling frame; data source; and the statistical techniques employed. Having a robust understanding of the prevalence of and risk factors for Long Covid is essential for informing treatment pathways, service provision and policy decisions. In preparation for the public health response to future epidemics and pandemics, this review outlines key epidemiological and statistical considerations and recommendations when designing studies of emerging post-acute infection syndromes, focussing on Long Covid as a case study.
Authors
- Sir Ian Diamond
- Ash Routen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5651-4228)
- Shamil Macbool Mohamed Haroon
- Rosalind M. Eggo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0362-6717)
- Daniel Ayoubkhani
- Christina Joanne Atchison (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8304-7389)
- Terence Stephenson (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8871-7847)
- Melanie Calvert (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1856-837X)
- Vahé Nafilyan
- Francesco Zaccardi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2636-6487)
- Helen L. Ward
- Chris E Brightling
- Roz Shafran
- Snehal M. Pinto Pereira
- Lauren L. O'Mahoney
- Kamlesh Khunti
- Amitava Banerjee
- Jonathan Sterne
- Emily Herrett
- Rachael A. Evans
- Paul R. Elliott
Institutions
- Office for National Statistics (GB)
- University of Leicester (GB)
- Barts Health NHS Trust (GB)
- Great Ormond Street Hospital (GB)
- National Institute for Health and Care Research (GB)
- University of Bristol (GB)
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (GB)
- NIHR Bristol Biomedical Research Centre (GB)
- Health Data Research UK (GB)
- Statistical Service (CY)
- NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre (GB)
- NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre (GB)
- University College London (GB)
- Imperial College London (GB)
- University of Birmingham (GB)
Publication Details
- Journal
- EClinicalMedicine
- Published
- 2026-03-16
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2026.103833
- Primary Topic
- Long-Term Effects of COVID-19
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00