The Health Information and Quality Authority has published its international review of the epidemiology of long COVID. HIQA carried out this review at the request of the Health Service Executive (HSE) to inform its long COVID model of care.

Long COVID is a complex condition involving a wide range of symptoms that can be debilitating and vary significantly from person to person. The most common symptoms include fatigue, brain fog, memory loss and or confusion, a loss of smell and shortness of breath. Although many people will experience an improvement in symptoms over time, for some long COVID can be long-lasting.

HIQA’s review included 51 primary research studies, which examined over 1.1 million participants, and four international registry documents. HIQA found that prevalence rates varied considerably across the studies. In studies based on self-reported data, estimates for the prevalence of long COVID in the general population ranged from 15% to 53%. Much of this variation may be due to differences in reporting methods and population demographics within studies. While prevalence estimates were highest in those with a history of severe COVID-19 illness, long COVID was reported across all populations and age groups.

Long COVID can result in sustained, significant reductions in quality of life and functioning in some individuals and a substantial burden on healthcare systems. Resourcing of existing services, as well as ensuring the availability of multi-disciplinary long COVID services, would help provide appropriate care to those experiencing long COVID.  

Michelle O’Neill, Deputy Director of HTA, said: “There is still a lot to learn about long COVID, but we found that those with long COVID are more likely to be women, to be older, and to have been admitted to hospital because of COVID-19. It is not known why long COVID occurs. In those who have had COVID-19, some people may experience worsening of a pre-existing condition, while some experience new symptoms or conditions, or experience symptoms that continue long after the initial infection has ended.”

She continued “Based on our knowledge of COVID-19 and long COVID, it is important to follow public health advice to minimise the risk of infection or reinfection. This includes supporting people to avail of the COVID-19 vaccine and to obtain their scheduled booster doses.”

No studies on the prevalence of long COVID in Ireland were identified. HIQA has advised that further research on long COVID in Ireland may better inform healthcare resourcing.

The full review can be found at the link at the top of the page.
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Further information:
Marty Whelan, Head of Communications & Stakeholder Engagement
01 814 7480/085 805 5202, mwhelan@hiqa.ie

Notes to Editor:

• HIQA has today published the following document to inform the HSE’s response to long COVID:
  • International review of the epidemiology of long COVID
• The aim of HIQA’s review was to address the following research questions:
  • The epidemiology and clinical burden of long COVID internationally.
  • The evidence of associations between risk/protective factors and development of long COVID among those who have had a SARS-CoV-2 infection.
• The protocol for this international review is published here.
• HSE advice on how to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is available here. The current HSE advice in relation to the COVID-19 vaccination programme is available here.
• HIQA’s COVID-19 Evidence Synthesis Team provides evidence reports and evidence-based advice to the Department of Health to inform public health policy, advice and practice in the context of COVID-19.