The risk of Long Covid symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled studies

The global evidence on the risk of symptoms of Long Covid in general populations infected with SARS-CoV-2 compared to uninfected comparator/control populations remains unknown. We conducted a systematic literature search using multiple electronic databases from January 1, 2022, to August 1, 2024. Included studies had ≥100 people with confirmed or self-reported COVID-19 at ≥28 days following infection onset, and an uninfected comparator/control group. Results were summarised descriptively and meta-analyses were conducted to derive pooled risk ratio estimates. 50 studies totaling 14,661,595 people were included. In all populations combined, there was an increased risk of a wide range of 39 out of 40 symptoms in…

• UR
  UK Research and Innovation

  Awards: COV0319, MR/V027859/1
• NI
  National Institute for Health and Care Research

  Awards: COV0319, MR/V027859/1
• DO
  Department of Health and Social Care
• MR
  Medical Research Council

  Awards: MR/V027859/1, COV0319, COVID-19
• NL
  NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre