Association of ADIPOQ rs1501299 with long-COVID syndrome: a single-center cross-sectional study

Long-COVID syndrome is a public health issue, affecting millions of individuals worldwide. However, the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the syndrome's sequelae are still under investigation. Adiponectin has been implicated with acute SARS-CoV2 infection, while its role in Long-COVID remains obscure. The aim of this study is to investigate the potential association of adiponectin and SNPs of adiponectin pathway with Long-COVID.

A single-center cross-sectional observational study was conducted, investigating the potential association of adiponectin and SNPs of adiponectin pathway with Long-COVID in 159 individuals, who were presented at the COVID-19 outpatient re-evaluation office. Adiponectin blood levels and detection of SNPs ADIPOQ rs1501299, ADIPOQ rs2241766, ADIPOR2 rs16928751, PPARA rs1800206 and PPARG rs1801282 were measured 3 months after acute COVID-19.

ADIPOQ rs1501299 was the only SNP significantly associated with the progression of symptoms after the acute SARS-CoV2 infection and the development of Long-COVID syndrome. Homozygous GG genotype individuals exhibited increased risk for sequelae of Long-COVID (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.1, 3.7, p = 0.023), particularly fatigue (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.2, 5.0, p = 0.014), compared to the T allele carriers, independently of age, sex, BMI, waist to hip ratio, comorbidities and severity of acute infection (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.2, 4.3, p = 0.013 and OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.4, 6.7, p = 0.004 respectively). Adiponectin levels were correlated with obesity and severity of acute SARS-CoV2 infection, but not with Long-COVID symptoms.

ADIPOQ rs1501299 could potentially serve as a genetic marker, contributing to risk stratification of developing Long-COVID syndrome.