Cohort profile: The Johns Hopkins COVID Long Study (JHCLS) - A US nationwide prospective cohort study

Abstract

Purpose COVID-19 continues to affect millions of individuals worldwide, both in the short and long term. The post-acute complications of SARS-CoV-2 infection, referred to as long COVID, result in diverse symptoms affecting multiple organ systems. Little is known regarding how the symptoms associated with long COVID progress and resolve over time. The Johns Hopkins COVID Long Study aims to prospectively examine the short-term and long-term consequences of COVID-19 in individuals both with and without a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection using self-reported data collected in an online survey. Participants 16 764 adults with a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection and 799 adults without a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection who completed an online baseline survey. Findings to date This cohort profile describes the baseline characteristics of the Johns Hopkins COVID Long Study. Among 16 764 participants with a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection and defined long COVID status, 75% reported a very good or excellent health status prior to infection, 99% reported experiencing at least one COVID-19 symptom during the acute phase of infection, 9.9% reported hospitalisation and 63% were defined as having long COVID using the WHO definition. Future plans Analysis of longitudinal data will be used to investigate the progression and resolution of long COVID symptoms over time.