Longitudinal observation of persistent Long COVID symptoms and health-related quality of life in an adult German cohort

BACKGROUND: Many individuals experience persistent symptoms following an acute COVID-19 infection, a condition known as Long COVID. The aim of this study was to analyse the prevalence, intensity and longitudinal trajectories of different Long COVID symptoms at baseline and at follow-ups up to 60 weeks later in a German cohort. METHODS: This longitudinal observational study is part of the DEFEAT Corona project, wherein Long COVID subjects completed online questionnaires on symptom severity (0-10 points) and health-related quality of life (hrQoL), measured with EQ5D-VAS, at three time points. At baseline, sociodemographic information, COVID-19 infection characteristics, and COVID-19 vaccination status were also recorded. Symptom occurrence and intensity was compared between baseline and two follow-up surveys 54 to 60 weeks later. RESULTS: Among n = 262 adult participants (84.4% female, 14.8% male and 0.8% diverse, mean age 44.85 ± 11.48 years), the most frequent symptoms at baseline were fatigue (67.2%, mean severity 9.02 ± 0.89), palpitations (61.1%, mean severity 6.58 ± 1.95), and concentration impairment (61.0%, mean severity 8.55 ± 1.12). The prevalence decreased in 3/27 Long COVID symptoms and symptom intensity decreased in 15/27 symptoms with small changes in severity (between 0.6 and 2 points of max. 10 points). HrQoL decreased significantly over time (p = 0.006). However, the mean change of - 4.31 ± 21.2 points remained below the established MCID of 7.5 points, indicating no clinically meaningful deterioration. CONCLUSION: More than a year after the acute infection, Long COVID patients of the DEFEAT Corona cohort describe symptoms as persistent and intense. With the corresponding impairment in hrQoL, this underlines the urgent need for comprehensive therapies for Long COVID. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was in the German Clinical Trial Registry (DRKS00026007) on 9th Sep 2021.