Issues related to post-COVID-19 syndrome

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Internal Medicine
• Public Health

Background:

• The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has caused widespread illness since 2019.
• Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is recognized as a multisystem illness with potential for long-term organ damage.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and synthesize current research on the long-term sequelae of COVID-19.
• To assess complications affecting the respiratory, cardiac, neurological, digestive, rheumatological, urogenital, and dermatological systems.
• To identify future research directions and assessment needs for post-COVID-19 syndrome.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective bibliographic search was conducted in December 2021.
• Databases used included PubMed and Google Scholar.
• The search encompassed all available COVID-19 literature up to the search date.

Main Results:

• COVID-19 can lead to persistent complications across various organ systems.
• Long-term effects are documented in respiratory, cardiac, neurological, digestive, rheumatological, urogenital, and dermatological domains.
• The extent and nature of these complications highlight the chronic impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Conclusions:

• A comprehensive understanding of post-COVID-19 syndrome requires evaluating multisystem involvement.
• Further research is essential to elucidate the mechanisms and management of these long-term complications.
• This review provides a foundation for predicting and addressing the future health burden of post-COVID-19 conditions.