Publication of the first findings on the prevalence of “post-COVID-19 conditions” or “long COVID” and associated healthcare utilization following the initial waves of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

cp_enquete_covid_long_220722.pdf

Published on 22 July 2022

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In some people, SARS-CoV-2 infection is characterized by the presence of long-lasting or persistent symptoms following the initial infection, also known as “post-COVID-19 condition” or “long COVID.” To estimate the prevalence and burden of this syndrome, Santé publique France conducted an initial study on a large sample of the general adult population and is publishing the initial results in a dedicated Point Sur. The results show that 30% of people who had been infected with SARS-CoV-2 met the criteria for “long COVID” and that general practitioners are the healthcare professionals most frequently consulted by these patients. Further research is underway to confirm and expand upon these initial findings, as well as to assess the impact on the quality of life and mental health of those affected.

First Snapshot of People with "Post-COVID-19 Condition"

Conducted nationwide between March 22 and April 8, 2022, among 27,537 people aged 18 and older, this study estimates the number of people with persistent symptoms or “post-COVID-19 condition” following an acute episode of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and describes their characteristics.

Among the study respondents: 4% met the criteria for a “post-COVID-19 condition” according to the WHO’s consensus definition (see box)
- These “post-COVID-19 conditions” affected 30% of respondents who had been infected with SARS-CoV-2 more than three months prior.
- Across the French population at the time of the study, “post-COVID-19 conditions” were estimated to affect 2.06 million people over the age of 18.
“Post-COVID-19 conditions” affected women, working-age adults, and those who had been hospitalized more frequently, with the highest prevalence rates among those who had had a SARS-CoV-2 infection (32.8%, 32.3%, and 38.0%, respectively).
The prevalence of “post-COVID-19 condition” decreased over time following the date of SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, 20% of people who had a SARS-CoV-2 infection still met the criteria for a “post-COVID-19 condition” 18 months after infection.

Healthcare utilization and healthcare professionals consulted by people with “post-COVID-19 condition”

The implications for healthcare utilization were also assessed. The results show that:

Nearly 11% of respondents with a “post-COVID-19 condition” did not seek care during the 12 months preceding the survey.
The healthcare professional most frequently consulted by patients with a “post-COVID-19 condition” was the general practitioner (87%). Next were specialists in pulmonology (~16%), neurology (~11%), and infectious diseases (~5%).

Thus, healthcare is primarily sought through general practice, as these professionals serve as the first point of contact for diagnosing and properly managing “post-COVID-19 condition.” It appears necessary to ensure that general practitioners are well-informed about “post-COVID-19 condition” and the complementary management protocols.

The study’s results should, however, be interpreted with caution. Although the methodology ensures the sample’s representativeness, the results are based on a sample of volunteers recruited from a panel. The reported proportion of people who have been infected with SARS-CoV-2 is, however, comparable to that estimated by surveillance systems. This work will continue with a second study using a random sample from the general population, in order to produce more robust estimates of the prevalence and impact of post-COVID-19 condition on healthcare utilization, mental health, and quality of life.

What is “post-COVID-19 condition”?

According to the consensus definition of the World Health Organization (WHO), “post-COVID-19 condition,” also known as “long COVID,” generally appears within 3 months of the initial SARS-CoV-2 infection and is characterized by symptoms persisting for at least 2 months that, on the one hand, cannot be explained by other diagnoses and, on the other hand, have an impact on daily life.

The list of 25 eligible symptoms includes, in particular: fatigue, cough, shortness of breath, malaise after exertion, intermittent fever, loss of taste or smell, depression, and cognitive dysfunction1.

For more information