Long Covid - Analysis and response strategies to the long-term effects of Covid-19 infection
The impact of Long-Covid on health status is proving to be relevant from an NHS perspective, in view of the significant number of Covid-19 infected persons who, weeks after the end of the acute infection, present with signs and symptoms related to the infection that preclude a full return to their previous state of health. Hence the importance of increasing knowledge about this condition.
To monitor the long-term effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection by increasing knowledge about this condition and providing elements to standardise the treatment approach at national level.
A retrospective multicentre cohort study with matching was promoted as part of a CCM project coordinated by the ISS, involving three regions (Friuli Venezia Giulia, Tuscany and Apulia). Subjects over 40 years of age, SARS-CoV-2 positive and cured in the period between 21 February 2020 and 23 December 2021, classified according to severity of symptoms, were enrolled. Those exposed to the infection were randomly matched, by gender, age group and comorbidity index, to subjects who had never tested positive.
The consumption of healthcare services (hospitalisations, specialist visits, laboratory and imaging diagnostics, drugs) in the six months following recovery was investigated in order to assess any excess use of healthcare services by Covid-positive subjects compared to subjects who had never been infected. The results showed an increased utilisation of healthcare services in subjects with previous SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Lucia Bisceglia is Scientific Head.
The study is coordinated by the:
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità and involves the following units
- Agenzia Regionale di Sanità (ARS) of Tuscany
- Agenzia Strategica Regionale per la Salute e il Sociale (AReSS) of Apulia Region
- Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Friuli Centrale (ASU FC).
