Course of post COVID-19 disease symptoms over time in the ComPaRe long COVID prospective e-cohort

About 10% of people infected by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 experience post COVID-19 disease. We analysed data from 968 adult patients (5350 person-months) with a confirmed infection enroled in the ComPaRe long COVID cohort, a disease prevalent prospective e-cohort of such patients in France. Day-by-day prevalence of post COVID-19 symptoms was determined from patients' responses to the Long COVID Symptom Tool, a validated self-reported questionnaire assessing 53 symptoms. Among patients symptomatic after 2 months, 85% still reported symptoms one year after their symptom onset. Evolution of symptoms showed a decreasing prevalence over time for 27/53 symptoms (e.g., loss of taste/smell); a stable prevalence over time for 18/53 symptoms (e.g., dyspnoea), and an increasing prevalence over time for 8/53 symptoms (e.g., paraesthesia). The disease impact on patients' lives began increasing 6 months after onset. Our results are of importance to understand the natural history of post COVID-19 disease. Long-term complications and persistent symptoms occur following COVID-19, but the nature and duration of the long-term symptoms are not fully characterised. Here the authors report the evolution of post COVID-19 symptoms using a validated self-reported questionnaire assessing 53 symptoms over time in the ComPaRe long COVID prospective e-cohort.

Automated summary

About 10% of people infected by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) experience post COVID-19 disease. This study analyzed data from a French disease cohort and found that among patients symptomatic after 2 months, 85% still reported symptoms one year after their symptom onset. Symptoms showed different trends over time, with some decreasing, some remaining stable, and some increasing in prevalence. The study provides important insights into the natural history of post COVID-19 disease.