Clinical Practice Guideline Recommendations for Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19

The guidelines presented herewith are based on the "Clinical Practice Guideline Recommendations for Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC)" published in Infection & Chemotherapy in March 2024; these guidelines have been refined by incorporating the most recent Korean and international research findings and clinical evidence published since then. In the context of patients experiencing various physical and mental symptoms that persist long after the acute phase of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection, the diagnosis and management of PASC has emerged as a novel public health challenge. These guidelines are intended to provide standardized diagnostic and management recommendations applicable to the Korean healthcare setting and were developed through a comprehensive review of existing guidelines from organizations such as the World Health Organization, the United States National Institutes of Health, the United Kingdom National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, and the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, along with the latest meta-analyses and Korean cohort studies. PASC is defined as the persistent presence of symptoms and signs lasting more than 3 months after COVID-19 diagnosis for which the symptoms cannot be explained by alternative diagnoses. The revised guidelines emphasize the importance of integrated management for patients with PASC, including a multidisciplinary approach considering risk groups, symptom-specific assessment, and rehabilitation and psychological interventions, based on a total of 32 key questions. This revision reflects rapidly evolving research trends regarding the long-term effects of COVID-19 and is expected to serve as an evidence-based standard guideline for future patient care, clinical research, and health policy development in Korea.