During the early stages of the pandemic, individuals who had been infected with SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19 started reporting persistent symptoms that lasted longer than usual or developed new symptoms even after their initial infection had cleared.
Although the reasons behind post-COVID-19 conditions, commonly known as “long COVID,” are not entirely understood, a recent study conducted by researchers at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons has highlighted the significant impact of long COVID and identified individuals who are at a higher risk.
The study revealed that individuals with mild infections, including those who were vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 or had contracted the Omicron variant, tended to recover more quickly. The study also observed similar recovery times for subsequent infections.
Elizabeth C. Oelsner, the lead author of the study and Herbert Irving Associate Professor of Medicine, emphasized, “Our study emphasizes the crucial role that COVID vaccination has played in not only reducing infection severity but also lowering the risk of developing long COVID.”
Key Findings of the Study
The research involved more than 4,700 participants from the Collaborative Cohort of Cohorts for COVID 19 Research (C4R), who were asked to report their recovery time following SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Between 2020 and early 2023, the study revealed that the median recovery time post SARS-CoV-2 infection was 20 days, with over 20% of adults taking longer than three months to recover.
Women and individuals with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions were less likely to recover within three months. While other health issues such as chronic kidney disease, diabetes, asthma, chronic lung disease, depressive symptoms, and smoking history were associated with prolonged recovery times, these links became insignificant when considering factors like gender, cardiovascular health, vaccination status, and exposure to different variants.
Oelsner noted, “Despite previous studies indicating that many long COVID patients face mental health struggles, our study did not find a significant link between pre-existing depressive symptoms and long COVID.”
American Indian and Alaska Native participants were disproportionately affected by long COVID, experiencing more severe infections and extended recovery periods.
“Our study highlights the considerable personal and societal impact of long COVID,” Oelsner stated. “By identifying individuals who faced prolonged recovery periods, we have gained valuable insights into who should be included in ongoing research aimed at mitigating or preventing the long-term consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection.”
Additional Information
The study, titled “Epidemiologic Features of Recovery from SARS-CoV-2 Infection,” was published online on June 17 in JAMA Network Open. The full list of contributors and conflict of interest disclosures can be accessed online.
