Study on the epidemiological characteristics and influencing factors of long COVID among previously infected individuals in two communities in Shanghai
10.19428/j.cnki.sjpm.2025.24894
- VernacularTitle:上海两社区既往感染人群长新冠流行特征及其影响因素研究
- Author:
Junhong YUE
1
;
Chen CHEN
1
;
Qingqing JIA
1
;
Xiaoxia LIU
2
;
Huiting WANG
1
;
Fei WU
3
;
Yanlu YIN
1
;
Jiajie ZANG
4
;
Yanfei GUO
2
;
Fan WU
1
Author Information
1. Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
2. Institute for Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases and Injury Prevention and Control, Shanghai Municipal Center of Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai 201107, China
3. School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
4. Institute for Health Hazard Factors Monitoring and Control, Shanghai Municipal Center of Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai 201107, China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
long COVID;
influencing factor;
cross-sectional study;
fatigue;
attention disorder;
cough
- From:
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine
2025;37(7):597-605
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
ObjectiveTo analyze the epidemiological characteristics of long COVID and to investigate its main influencing factors by examining individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 between March and June 2022 in two communities in Shanghai, to lay the foundation for further research on the mechanism and clinical treatment of long COVID, and to provide the basis for the development of inexpensive, convenient, and feasible prevention and intervention strategies. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted, enrolling 6 410 individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2. Data were collected through a questionnaire survey. The incidence and common symptoms of long COVID were analyzed, along with their associations with demographic characteristics, medical history, and behavioral factors. A logistic regression model was used to identify the major factors associated with the development of long COVID symptoms. ResultsThe overall incidence rate of long COVID among the study population was 13.9%. The most commonly reported symptoms included fatigue (65.1%), attention disorders (23.1%), and cough (16.9%). The analysis showed that having underlying chronic diseases (OR=2.580, 95%CI: 2.165‒3.074), a history of allergies (OR=1.418, 95%CI: 1.003‒1.971), current smoking (OR=1.461, 95%CI: 1.013‒2.079), ever smoking (OR=2.462, 95%CI: 1.687‒3.551), a greater number of symptoms during the acute phase [1 symptom (OR=1.778, 95%CI: 1.459‒2.162), 2 symptoms (OR=2.749, 95%CI: 2.209‒3.409), ≥3 symptoms (OR=7.792, 95%CI: 6.333‒9.593)] and aggravated symptoms during the acute phase (OR=1.082, 95%CI: 1.070‒1.094) were factors associated with a higher risk of developing long COVID symptoms. Additionally, individuals who had consumed alcohol in the past year (OR=1.914, 95%CI: 1.344‒2.684) were more prone to objective long COVID symptoms. Among individuals under 50 years of age, females (OR=1.427, 95%CI: 1.052‒1.943) were more likely to develop objective long COVID symptoms. ConclusionThis study has identified the diversity of long COVID symptoms, which involve multiple organs and systems, including fatigue, attention disorders, cough, and joint pain. It has also revealed associations between long COVID and various demographic factors (e.g., age, gender), personal medical history (e.g., underlying chronic diseases, history of allergies), acute-phase characteristics (e.g., number and severity of symptoms), and behavioral factors (e.g., smoking, alcohol consumption). These findings highlight the need for further research and ongoing surveillance of long COVID and may inform the development of more targeted health management strategies for specific populations.
