What is Long COVID-19?

Clarifying Definitions and Symptoms.

Authors

  • Lin Zhang Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
  • J. Paulo Moreira International Healthcare Management Research and Development Centre (IHM-RDC) at the Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, China https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3644-1022
  • Yan Xi Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56226/ihr.v1i2.28

Keywords:

Long Covid-19, Sars-CoV-2, Definition, Symptoms

Abstract

Background:

What is the definition of Long COVID-19? What are its currently acknowledged symptoms? As this is a new condition suspected to be evolving as a potentially post-Pandemic new disease, it becomes relevant to clarify the current definitions of Long COVID-19. The article puts together the most recent definitions and briefly discusses points of common understanding and points of uncertainty.

Objectives:

The main aim of the article is to clarify the definitions and symptoms of Long COVID-19 as international evidence defines them. This is relevant to support health professionals and interested parties to access a structured clarification of the disease at this stage of knowledge. Supporting evidence-based intervention is the fundamental objective of the article.

Methods:

The Rapid Literature Review is a form of evidence synthesis that provides timely information for decision making and evidence-based practice compared with standard systematic reviews. The review used the following sources: Web of Science and PubMed,. The Search used the keywords ‘Long Covid-19’, ‘Definitions’ and ‘Symptoms’ and limited to articles published between January 2021 and June 2022. There were two reviewers to select articles based on the inclusion/exclusion criteria (keywords defined and time span of publications). Both reviewers appraised critically and rigorously within the criteria defined and a summary was produced.

Results:

Six articles were identified as relevant for the objectives of this article. These were individually evaluated on the contribution to clarifying definitions and symptoms of Long COVID-19. Definitions seem to follow the initial definition made available in a publication from World Health Organization. However, the follow-up articles seem to add additional interpretations and associated symptoms.

Main Contribution to Evidence-Based Practice:

The article puts together the recent evolution of the definition of Long COVID-19 and associated symptoms to support clinical decision-making and evidence-based practice.

Author Biographies

Lin Zhang, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China

Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China

J. Paulo Moreira, International Healthcare Management Research and Development Centre (IHM-RDC) at the Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, China

PhD in Healthcare Management and Public Health (University of Manchester, UK). Director of the International Healthcare Management Research and Development Centre (IHM-RDC) at the Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, China

Yan Xi, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China

Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China

Epidemiology; public health

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long covid

Published

08-08-2022 — Updated on 12-08-2022

How to Cite

Zhang, L., Moreira, J. P., & Xi, Y. (2022). What is Long COVID-19? Clarifying Definitions and Symptoms. International Healthcare Review (online). https://doi.org/10.56226/ihr.v1i2.28

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