A study published in JAMA Network Open reveals that 5% of COVID-infected US veterans experienced symptoms up to one year later, even during the Omicron variant era. The study, led by researchers from the Veterans Affairs (VA) Puget Sound Health Care System, examined 388,980 veterans who tested positive for COVID-19 between October 2021 and January 2023.
The study utilized the International Statistical Classification of Diseases Tenth Revision (ICD-10) code U09.9 to identify patients with long COVID and investigate associated rates, risk factors, clinical settings, and symptoms. The average age of the patients was 61.4 years, with 87.3% being men.
Results showed that after six months, the cumulative incidence of long COVID was 4.79%, which increased to 5.28% after one year. Several factors were found to contribute to the risk of developing long COVID, including older age, female sex, Hispanic ethnicity, a high burden of underlying illnesses, hospitalization or mechanical ventilation, and baseline prescription of opioids and antidepressants.
However, the study also highlighted the protective effect of vaccination against long COVID. Completion of a primary COVID-19 vaccine series and receipt of a booster dose were linked to reduced odds of developing long COVID. Furthermore, individuals belonging to the Black race and residing in urban areas also had lower chances of experiencing long COVID.
Among the 350 patients whose medical records were reviewed, 64.9% exhibited new-onset symptoms related to COVID-19 that lasted 30 days or more. The most commonly reported symptoms were shortness of breath, fatigue or exhaustion, cough, impaired cognitive function, and changes in smell and/or taste.
Regional and facility differences were observed in the rates of long-COVID diagnoses, potentially due to factors such as patient preferences in seeking care at long-COVID clinics or regional variations in awareness, education, cultural and political influences, and underlying risk factors.
The study emphasizes the importance of accurate documentation using the ICD-10 code U09.9 to track patients with long COVID for clinical care and future research. Healthcare providers are advised to encourage primary and booster vaccination to reduce the risk of long COVID.
In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into the long-term effects of COVID-19 on US veterans. It underscores the need for ongoing monitoring and support for individuals experiencing prolonged symptoms, while emphasizing the protective benefits of vaccination against long COVID. As the world continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, understanding the impact of the virus on various populations is essential for effective healthcare strategies and interventions.
