A Practical Approach to Tailor the Term Long COVID for Diagnostics, Therapy and Epidemiological Research for Improved...

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health
• Clinical Medicine

Background:

• Long COVID (LC) encompasses the diverse long-term health consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
• Current terminology for LC is too general, hindering precise research, diagnosis, and treatment strategies.
• Existing classifications, like NICE guidelines, do not fully capture real-world observations of post-COVID conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a refined terminology for Long COVID (LC) by stratifying it into three distinct subgroups.
• To enhance epidemiological research, diagnostics, and therapeutic interventions for SARS-CoV-2 long-term effects.
• To emphasize the importance of differentiating specific conditions within LC, such as post-exertional malaise (PEM).

Main Methods:

• Reviewing existing definitions and guidelines for Long COVID (LC).
• Analyzing real-world observations of post-COVID conditions.
• Proposing a new stratification of LC into three subgroups: ongoing symptomatic COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2 induced or exacerbated diseases, and post-acute COVID condition.
• Recommending the use of ICD-10 codes for subgroup-specific documentation.

Main Results:

• The general term Long COVID (LC) complicates epidemiological studies and clinical practice.
• A proposed stratification includes: ongoing symptomatic COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2 induced/exacerbated diseases, and post-acute COVID condition.
• Post-acute COVID condition encompasses diverse symptoms like post-exertional malaise (PEM), dysautonomia, and cognitive dysfunction, requiring specific diagnostic approaches.

Conclusions:

• Refining the terminology of Long COVID (LC) into specific subgroups is essential for advancing research and clinical care.
• Accurate classification and subgroup-specific documentation (e.g., using ICD-10 codes) are crucial for tracking and managing long-term SARS-CoV-2 effects.
• Differentiating conditions like post-exertional malaise within post-acute COVID condition is critical for effective diagnosis and treatment.