Factors Associated With Long COVID Symptoms in an Online Cohort Study
Abstract
Importance: Prolonged symptoms following SARS-CoV-2 infection, or Long COVID, is common, but few prospective studies of Long COVID risk factors have been conducted. Objective: To determine whether sociodemographic factors, lifestyle, or medical history preceding COVID-19 or characteristics of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection are associated with Long COVID. Design: Cohort study with longitudinal assessment of symptoms before, during, and after SARS-CoV-2 infection, and cross-sectional assessment of Long COVID symptoms using data from the COVID-19 Citizen Science (CCS) study. Setting: CCS is an online cohort study that began enrolling March 26, 2020. We included data collected between March 26, 2020, and May 18, 2022. Participants: Adult CCS participants who reported a positive SARS-CoV-2 test result (PCR, Antigen, or Antibody) more than 30 days prior to May 4, 2022, were surveyed. Exposures: Age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, employment, socioeconomic status/financial insecurity, self-reported medical history, vaccination status, time of infection (variant wave), number of acute symptoms, pre-COVID depression, anxiety, alcohol and drug use, sleep, exercise. Main Outcome: Presence of at least 1 Long COVID symptom greater than 1 month after acute infection. Sensitivity analyses were performed considering only symptoms beyond 3 months and only severe symptoms. Results: 13,305 participants reported a SARS-CoV-2 positive test more than 30 days prior, 1480 (11.1% of eligible) responded…
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