Prevalent symptoms and characteristics of the Long COVID-19 population: a scoping review

Abstract

Objective: to map the scientific literature on the clinical and demographic characteristics of Long COVID-19. Method: this is a scoping review based on the principles recommended by the JBI and the PRISMA guidelines for data extraction, carried out on four databases. The PCC strategy was used for data collection, and the results were described and diagrammed. The studies were selected after removing duplicates, individual and peer review. Results: an analysis of the 13 articles selected showed that Long COVID affects all age groups and people of both sexes, presenting a multiplicity of symptoms, such as fatigue (61.5%), dyspnea (46.1%), changes in smell and/or taste (38.6%), anxiety (15.3%) and cognitive impairment (30.7%). Females were found to be at increased risk of developing Long COVID. Conclusion: identifying the symptoms prevalent in Long COVID contributes to public health strategies for diagnosing and assisting people affected by the disease. Future studies are recommended on the approach to the persistence of symptoms in Long COVID and the relationship between adherence to the vaccination schedule against COVID-19, gender, race/ethnicity, degree of susceptibility in the different age groups, level of education and income, as well as the most recurrent comorbidities in the population.