Assessment of long COVID-19 symptoms and functional status: insights from a cross-sectional study

This cross-sectional study examines the functional limitations of Long COVID (LC) in a clinically confirmed cohort (n = 220). We collected sociodemographic, clinical, and lifestyle data via a structured electronic form and assessed daily limitations using the Post-COVID-19 Functional Status (PCFS) scale. Linear models were used to evaluate the association between symptom burden and functional limitations and to identify symptom-specific predictors of impairment. Participants had a mean age of 44.8 years, and 80.5% were women. A dose-response pattern linked higher symptom counts with worse PCFS grades in the multivariable-adjusted model (β = 0.17; 95% CI 0.10-0.25; p < 0.001). In hierarchical models, fatigue, dizziness, and memory loss were independent predictors of greater functional limitations (crude β: fatigue 1.56; 95% CI 1.22-1.90; dizziness 1.08; 95% CI 0.81-1.34; and memory loss 1.26; 95% CI 0.97-1.55), cumulatively explaining 51.3% of the variance in functional limitations. In contrast, other common LC symptoms did not retain independent associations after adjustment. These findings highlight the value of simple symptom counts and targeted symptom profiles for risk stratification in primary care and occupational health and for planning rehabilitation and work ability assessment. Prospective studies should validate these indicators over time and explore the mechanisms linking neurocognitive and fatigue phenotypes with persistent disability.