Science and Research

Definition of the Post-COVID syndrome using a symptom-based Post-COVID score in a prospective, multi-center, cross-sectoral cohort of the German National Pandemic Cohort Network (NAPKON)

PURPOSE: The objective examination of the Post-COVID syndrome (PCS) remains difficult due to heterogeneous definitions and clinical phenotypes. The aim of the study was to verify the functionality and correlates of a recently developed PCS score. METHODS: The PCS score was applied to the prospective, multi-center cross-sectoral cohort (in- and outpatients with SARS-CoV-2 infection) of the "National Pandemic Cohort Network (NAPKON, Germany)". Symptom assessment and patient-reported outcome measure questionnaires were analyzed at 3 and 12 months (3/12MFU) after diagnosis. Scores indicative of PCS severity were compared and correlated to demographic and clinical characteristics as well as quality of life (QoL, EQ-5D-5L). RESULTS: Six hundred three patients (mean 54.0 years, 60.6% male, 82.0% hospitalized) were included. Among those, 35.7% (215) had no and 64.3% (388) had mild, moderate, or severe PCS. PCS severity groups differed considering sex and pre-existing respiratory diseases. 3MFU PCS worsened with clinical severity of acute infection (p = .011), and number of comorbidities (p = .004). PCS severity was associated with poor QoL at the 3MFU and 12MFU (p < .001). CONCLUSION: The PCS score correlated with patients' QoL and demonstrated to be instructive for clinical characterization and stratification across health care settings. Further studies should critically address the high prevalence, clinical relevance, and the role of comorbidities. TRAIL REGISTRATION NUMBER: The cohort is registered at www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov under NCT04768998.

  • Appel, K. S.
  • Nürnberger, C.
  • Bahmer, T.
  • Förster, C.
  • Polidori, M. C.
  • Kohls, M.
  • Kraus, T.
  • Hettich-Damm, N.
  • Petersen, J.
  • Blaschke, S.
  • Bröhl, I.
  • Butzmann, J.
  • Dashti, H.
  • Deckert, J.
  • Dreher, M.
  • Fiedler, K.
  • Finke, C.
  • Geisler, R.
  • Hanses, F.
  • Hopff, S. M.
  • Jensen, B. O.
  • Konik, M.
  • Lehnert, K.
  • de Miranda, S. M. N.
  • Mitrov, L.
  • Miljukov, O.
  • Reese, J. P.
  • Rohde, G.
  • Scherer, M.
  • Tausche, K.
  • Tebbe, J. J.
  • Vehreschild, J. J.
  • Voit, F.
  • Wagner, P.
  • Weigl, M.
  • Lemhöfer, C.

Keywords

  • Humans
  • Male
  • *COVID-19/epidemiology/diagnosis
  • Female
  • Middle Aged
  • Germany/epidemiology
  • Prospective Studies
  • *Quality of Life
  • *SARS-CoV-2
  • Aged
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Adult
  • Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome
  • Patient Reported Outcome Measures
  • Cohort Studies
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Symptom Assessment
  • Definition
  • Long-COVID
  • Multi-center prospective cohort study
  • Post-COVID
  • Quality of life
  • Score
Publication details
DOI: 10.1007/s15010-024-02226-9
Journal: Infection
Pages: 1813-1829 
Number: 5
Work Type: Original
Location: ARCN
Disease Area: PALI
Partner / Member: Ghd
Access-Number: 38587752

DZL Engagements

chevron-down