Incidence and psychiatric predictors of Long COVID beyond 3 months in a city-wide community sample in Texas.

Background Studies have emerged about a syndrome of persistent symptoms of Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) infection called 'Long COVID', which have mostly focused on the first 3 months. This study examined rates and predictors of Long COVID symptoms lasting beyond 3 months (termed Long² COVID). Methods A longitudinal cohort study using a population-based sample of 511 adults in San Antonio, Texas with laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 were assessed for Long² COVID. Inverse probability weighting was used. Results In the sample, 19.18–59.10% met criteria for Long² COVID depending on the definition. In general, Long COVID symptoms decreased after 3 months with the notable exception of an observed increase in loss of taste and smell. White Hispanic (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 7.66; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.78, 32.87) background and baseline depression symptoms (aOR = 1.30; 95% CI = 1.03, 1.65) were predictive of Long² COVID. Long² COVID was also associated with greater anxiety symptoms 6 months after onset of COVID-19. Conclusions A sizable proportion report COVID-19 symptoms lasting more than 3 months and some symptoms even increased over time. Adults who are Hispanic white adults or have depression may be at greater risk for Long² COVID. Further research is needed on why some adults experience Long COVID and how to reduce the duration of illness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]