ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Although most adults infected with SARS-CoV-2 fully recover, a proportion have ongoing symptoms, or post-COVID conditions (PCC), after infection. The objective of this analysis was to estimate the number of US adults with activity-limiting PCC on November 1, 2021. METHODS: We modeled the prevalence of PCC using reported infections occurring from February 1, 2020 - September 30, 2021, and population-based, household survey data on new activity-limiting symptoms ≥1 month following SARS-CoV-2 infection. From these data sources, we estimated the number and proportion of US adults with activity-limiting PCC on November 1, 2021, as 95% uncertainty intervals, stratified by sex and age. Sensitivity analyses adjusted for under-ascertainment of infections and uncertainty about symptom duration. RESULTS: On November 1, 2021, at least 3.0-5.0 million US adults were estimated to have activity-limiting PCC of ≥1 month duration, or 1.2%-1.9% of US adults. Population prevalence was higher in females (1.4%-2.2%) than males. The estimated prevalence after adjusting for under-ascertainment of infections was 1.7%-3.8%. CONCLUSION: Millions of US adults were estimated to have activity-limiting PCC. These estimates can support future efforts to address the impact of PCC on the U.S. population.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Adults with disabilities are at increased risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe disease; whether adults with disabilities are at an increased risk for ongoing symptoms after acute SARS-CoV-2 infection is unknown. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the frequency and duration of long-term symptoms (>4 weeks) and health care utilization among adults with and without disabilities who self-report positive or negative SARS-CoV-2 test results. METHODS: Data from a nationwide survey of 4510 U.S. adults administered from September 24, 2021-October 7, 2021, were analyzed for 3251 (79%) participants who self-reported disability status, symptom(s), and SARS-CoV-2 test results (a positive test or only negative tests). Multivariable models were used to estimate the odds of having ≥1 COVID-19-like symptom(s) lasting >4 weeks by test result and disability status, weighted and adjusted for socio-demographics. RESULTS: Respondents who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 had higher odds of reporting ≥1 long-term symptom (with disability: aOR = 4.50 [95% CI: 2.37, 8.54] and without disability: aOR = 9.88 [95% CI: 7.13, 13.71]) compared to respondents testing negative. Among respondents who tested positive, those with disabilities were not significantly more likely to experience long-term symptoms compared to respondents without disabilities (aOR = 1.65 [95% CI: 0.78, 3.50]). Health care utilization for reported symptoms was higher among respondents with disabilities who tested positive (40%) than among respondents without disabilities who tested positive (18%). CONCLUSIONS: Ongoing symptoms among adults with and without disabilities who also test positive for SARS-CoV-2 are common; however, the frequency of health care utilization for ongoing symptoms is two-fold among adults with disabilities.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Disabled Persons , Adult , Humans , SARS-CoV-2 , Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome , Surveys and Questionnaires , Patient Acceptance of Health CareABSTRACT
Background Adults with disabilities are at increased risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe disease;whether adults with disabilities are at an increased risk for ongoing symptoms after acute SARS-CoV-2 infection is unknown. Objectives To estimate the frequency and duration of long-term symptoms (> 4 weeks) and health care utilization among adults with and without disabilities who self-report positive or negative SARS-CoV-2 test results. Methods Data from a nationwide survey of 4,510 U.S. adults administered from September 24, 2021 – October 7, 2021, were analyzed for 3,251 (79%) participants who self-reported disability status, symptom(s), and SARS-CoV-2 test results (a positive test or only negative tests). Multivariable models were used to estimate the odds of having ≥1 COVID-19–like symptom(s) lasting >4 weeks by test result and disability status, weighted and adjusted for socio-demographics. Results Respondents who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 had higher odds of reporting ≥ 1 long-term symptom (with disability: aOR=4.50 [95% CI: 2.37, 8.54] and without disability: aOR=9.88 [95% CI: 7.13, 13.71]) compared to respondents testing negative. Among respondents who tested positive, those with disabilities were not significantly more likely to experience long-term symptoms compared to respondents without disabilities (aOR=1.65 [95% CI: 0.78, 3.50]). Healthcare utilization for reported symptoms was higher among respondents with disabilities who tested positive (40%) than among respondents without disabilities who tested positive (18%). Conclusions Ongoing symptoms among adults with and without disabilities who also test positive for SARS-CoV-2 are common;however, frequency of healthcare utilization for ongoing symptoms is two-fold among adults with disabilities.