Long COVID and Its Impacts: A Case–Control Study in Brazil
<b>Introduction:</b> Long COVID, or post-COVID-19 syndrome, refers to a set of persistent symptoms following SARS-CoV-2 infection without another identifiable cause. Studies indicate that symptoms can last for up to two years and affect multiple body systems. <b>Objective:</b>...
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MDPI AG
2025-07-01
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| author | Cristina M. Ruas Maria Laura Silva Ana L. G. F. Figueiredo Amanda P. de Alencar Samuel de S. Melo Geovani F. de Castro Natália V. Carobin Melina A. Cordeiro Janete F. R. Aguirre Amanda F. M. de Oliveira Adriano de P. Sabino |
| author_facet | Cristina M. Ruas Maria Laura Silva Ana L. G. F. Figueiredo Amanda P. de Alencar Samuel de S. Melo Geovani F. de Castro Natália V. Carobin Melina A. Cordeiro Janete F. R. Aguirre Amanda F. M. de Oliveira Adriano de P. Sabino |
| author_sort | Cristina M. Ruas |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <b>Introduction:</b> Long COVID, or post-COVID-19 syndrome, refers to a set of persistent symptoms following SARS-CoV-2 infection without another identifiable cause. Studies indicate that symptoms can last for up to two years and affect multiple body systems. <b>Objective:</b> The objective of this study is to compare symptom prevalence between infected individuals pre and post-COVID-19 and non-infected individuals in a population from Southeastern Brazil. Materials and <b>Methods</b>: A case–control study was conducted with participants from the MonitoraCovid program in a university in Brazil. The study included adults who responded to a questionnaire about long COVID symptoms. Data were collected virtually between October 2023 and May 2024. <b>Results</b>: Of the 2886 individuals eligible for analysis, 75.5% reported having been positive for COVID-19. Most participants were vaccinated, with 82.99% receiving two doses. In the pre and post comparison, individuals who had COVID-19 were more likely to report increased symptoms after infection, with 95.5% of assessed conditions worsening, particularly cognitive and respiratory issues. A comparison between those who had and had not been infected with COVID-19 showed that only 6.67% of symptoms were more prevalent in the infected group. The most significant post-COVID-19 symptoms included memory problems, fatigue, and shortness of breath, though some conditions, such as anxiety and sleep disturbances, were less common among those who had COVID-19. <b>Conclusions</b>: The findings reinforce that long COVID significantly impacts cognitive health, highlighting the importance of monitoring previously infected individuals. The study also emphasizes the need for further research in Global South contexts to better understand the long-term implications of COVID-19. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4b97a9f6e0504948b1a39e12e88c93bb |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2227-9059 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Biomedicines |
| spelling | doaj-art-4b97a9f6e0504948b1a39e12e88c93bb2025-08-20T04:00:49ZengMDPI AGBiomedicines2227-90592025-07-01137161510.3390/biomedicines13071615Long COVID and Its Impacts: A Case–Control Study in BrazilCristina M. Ruas0Maria Laura Silva1Ana L. G. F. Figueiredo2Amanda P. de Alencar3Samuel de S. Melo4Geovani F. de Castro5Natália V. Carobin6Melina A. Cordeiro7Janete F. R. Aguirre8Amanda F. M. de Oliveira9Adriano de P. Sabino10Social Pharmacy Department, Pharmacy Faculty, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, BrazilSchool of Pharmacy, University of Bordeaux, 33000 Bordeaux, FranceClinical Analysis and Toxicological Analysis, Pharmacy Faculty, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, BrazilClinical Analysis and Toxicological Analysis, Pharmacy Faculty, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, BrazilClinical Analysis and Toxicological Analysis, Pharmacy Faculty, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, BrazilSocial Pharmacy Department, Pharmacy Faculty, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, BrazilClinical Analysis and Toxicological Analysis, Pharmacy Faculty, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, BrazilClinical Analysis and Toxicological Analysis, Pharmacy Faculty, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, BrazilSocial Pharmacy Department, Pharmacy Faculty, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, BrazilSocial Pharmacy Department, Pharmacy Faculty, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, BrazilClinical Analysis and Toxicological Analysis, Pharmacy Faculty, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil<b>Introduction:</b> Long COVID, or post-COVID-19 syndrome, refers to a set of persistent symptoms following SARS-CoV-2 infection without another identifiable cause. Studies indicate that symptoms can last for up to two years and affect multiple body systems. <b>Objective:</b> The objective of this study is to compare symptom prevalence between infected individuals pre and post-COVID-19 and non-infected individuals in a population from Southeastern Brazil. Materials and <b>Methods</b>: A case–control study was conducted with participants from the MonitoraCovid program in a university in Brazil. The study included adults who responded to a questionnaire about long COVID symptoms. Data were collected virtually between October 2023 and May 2024. <b>Results</b>: Of the 2886 individuals eligible for analysis, 75.5% reported having been positive for COVID-19. Most participants were vaccinated, with 82.99% receiving two doses. In the pre and post comparison, individuals who had COVID-19 were more likely to report increased symptoms after infection, with 95.5% of assessed conditions worsening, particularly cognitive and respiratory issues. A comparison between those who had and had not been infected with COVID-19 showed that only 6.67% of symptoms were more prevalent in the infected group. The most significant post-COVID-19 symptoms included memory problems, fatigue, and shortness of breath, though some conditions, such as anxiety and sleep disturbances, were less common among those who had COVID-19. <b>Conclusions</b>: The findings reinforce that long COVID significantly impacts cognitive health, highlighting the importance of monitoring previously infected individuals. The study also emphasizes the need for further research in Global South contexts to better understand the long-term implications of COVID-19.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/13/7/1615post-acute COVID-19 syndromeCOVID-19case–control studies |
| spellingShingle | Cristina M. Ruas Maria Laura Silva Ana L. G. F. Figueiredo Amanda P. de Alencar Samuel de S. Melo Geovani F. de Castro Natália V. Carobin Melina A. Cordeiro Janete F. R. Aguirre Amanda F. M. de Oliveira Adriano de P. Sabino Long COVID and Its Impacts: A Case–Control Study in Brazil Biomedicines post-acute COVID-19 syndrome COVID-19 case–control studies |
| title | Long COVID and Its Impacts: A Case–Control Study in Brazil |
| title_full | Long COVID and Its Impacts: A Case–Control Study in Brazil |
| title_fullStr | Long COVID and Its Impacts: A Case–Control Study in Brazil |
| title_full_unstemmed | Long COVID and Its Impacts: A Case–Control Study in Brazil |
| title_short | Long COVID and Its Impacts: A Case–Control Study in Brazil |
| title_sort | long covid and its impacts a case control study in brazil |
| topic | post-acute COVID-19 syndrome COVID-19 case–control studies |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/13/7/1615 |
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