About half have meaningful drop in long COVID symptoms by 36 months, study finds
About one-half of persons with likely long COVID (LC) after first severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection experience a meaningful reduction in symptoms by 36 months, according to a study published online Nov. 3 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals that roughly half of individuals experiencing likely long COVID (LC) after their initial severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection may see a meaningful reduction in symptoms by the 36-month mark. Conducted by researchers from Harvard University and involving 1,019 participants across 83 U.S. sites, the prospective study aimed to determine the likelihood of improvement in LC symptoms over time.
Based on the data, an estimated 36.2% of patients experienced a meaningful reduction in LC symptoms by 24 months, while 50.1% achieved this by 36 months. Secondary outcomes indicated that 56.4% of patients saw a 50% or greater decrease in the LCRI measure by 36 months, while 26.9% achieved good or better quality of life. The study also found that the timing of symptom improvement remained relatively consistent among those who still reported likely LC at 18 and 24 months after their initial infection.
These findings, according to the authors, provide valuable insights for designing future interventional trials focused on improving or resolving LC symptoms.
Written by urgent.news from Medical Xpress's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
