Long COVID is still being studied by experts
illustration of COVID-19 vaccination (IDN Times/Anggun Puspitoningrum)
Experts are still observing the factors that have the potential to influence an individual’s risk for long COVID, as well as examining possible protective factors. Two studies recently published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine found additional evidence suggesting these two potential factors.
Long COVID is a complex condition that is still not fully understood. Long COVID are defined as signs, symptoms, and conditions that persist or develop after the initial infection with COVID-19. It can affect multiple organ systems and last for weeks, months, or even years.
First study: Vaccination against COVID-19 reduces risk of long COVID by 43 percent
The first study was a scientific review in which researchers analyzed more than 40 studies involving more than 860,700 patients aged at least 18 years. Studies included in the review were withdrawn from 2020 to 2022, and data analysis was performed between December 5, 2022 and February 10, 2023.
The researchers found that those at greatest risk for long COVID were:
- Woman.
- People over 40 years old.
- People with a higher body mass index.
- Smoker.
- People with additional health conditions such as diabetes, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, anxiety, depression and more.
However, research findings suggest that COVID-19 vaccination not only reduces the severity of the acute phase of infection, but also reduces a patient’s risk of developing it long COVID by 43 percent for people who had completed a two-dose primary series of vaccinations before contracting the virus.
Also Read: Study: Long COVID Ends in 1 Year for Mild COVID-19
