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Review
. 2023 Aug;11(8):739-754.
doi: 10.1016/S2213-2600(23)00239-4. Epub 2023 Jul 17.

Post-acute sequelae of COVID-19: understanding and addressing the burden of multisystem manifestations

Matteo Parotto  1 , Mariann Gyöngyösi  2 , Kathryn Howe  3 , Sheila N Myatra  4 , Otavio Ranzani  5 , Manu Shankar-Hari  6 , Margaret S Herridge  7
Affiliations
Review

Post-acute sequelae of COVID-19: understanding and addressing the burden of multisystem manifestations

Matteo Parotto et al. Lancet Respir Med. 2023 Aug.

Abstract

Individuals with SARS-CoV-2 infection can develop symptoms that persist well beyond the acute phase of COVID-19 or emerge after the acute phase, lasting for weeks or months after the initial acute illness. The post-acute sequelae of COVID-19, which include physical, cognitive, and mental health impairments, are known collectively as long COVID or post-COVID-19 condition. The substantial burden of this multisystem condition is felt at individual, health-care system, and socioeconomic levels, on an unprecedented scale. Survivors of COVID-19-related critical illness are at risk of the well known sequelae of acute respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis, and chronic critical illness, and these multidimensional morbidities might be difficult to differentiate from the specific effects of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19. We provide an overview of the manifestations of post-COVID-19 condition after critical illness in adults. We explore the effects on various organ systems, describe potential pathophysiological mechanisms, and consider the challenges of providing clinical care and support for survivors of critical illness with multisystem manifestations. Research is needed to reduce the incidence of post-acute sequelae of COVID-19-related critical illness and to optimise therapeutic and rehabilitative care and support for patients.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of interests We declare no competing interests.

Comment in

  • Long COVID-unravelling a complex condition.
    Hodgson CL, Broadley T. Hodgson CL, et al. Lancet Respir Med. 2023 Aug;11(8):667-668. doi: 10.1016/S2213-2600(23)00232-1. Epub 2023 Jul 17. Lancet Respir Med. 2023. PMID: 37475126 No abstract available.

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