European Respiratory Society statement on long COVID follow-up
Κατερίνα Αντωνίου, Eirini Vasarmidi, Anne‐Marie Russell, Claire Andréjak, Bruno Crestani, Marion Delcroix, Anh Tuan Dinh‐Xuan, Venerino Poletti, Nicola Sverzellati, Michele Vitacca, Martin Witzenrath, Thomy Tonia, Antonio Spanevello
Abstract
Patients diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection frequently experience symptom burden post-acute infection or post-hospitalisation. We aimed to identify optimal strategies for follow-up care that may positively impact the patient's quality of life (QoL). A European Respiratory Society (ERS) Task Force convened and prioritised eight clinical questions. A targeted search of the literature defined the timeline of "long COVID" as 1-6 months post-infection and identified clinical evidence in the follow-up of patients. Studies meeting the inclusion criteria report an association of characteristics of acute infection with persistent symptoms, thromboembolic events in the follow-up period, and evaluations of pulmonary physiology and imaging. Importantly, this statement reviews QoL consequences, symptom burden, disability and home care follow-up. Overall, the evidence for follow-up care for patients with long COVID is limited.