The American journal of medicine
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Persistence of COVID-19 symptoms may follow severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. The incidence of long COVID increases with the severity of acute disease, but even mild disease can be associated with sequelae. ⋯ Elevated levels of complement are present in acute COVID-19 patients and may persist at lower levels in long COVID. Evidence supports complement activation, with endotheliopathy-associated disease as the molecular mechanism causing both acute and long COVID.
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Persistent symptoms after severe acute respiratory disease coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2; long COVID) occur in 10%-55% of individuals, but the impact on daily functioning and disability remains unquantified. ⋯ We observed a high burden of new disability associated with long COVID, which has serious implications for individual and societal health. Longitudinal evaluation of COVID-19 patients is necessary to identify patterns of recovery and treatment options.