SYMPTOM DURATION in COVID-19 CONVALESCENT PATIENTS: REGIONAL & CLINICAL ASSOCIATIONS

ABSTRACT

Background: Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC) is characterized by persistent symptoms negatively impacting quality of life several weeks after SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis. Proposed risk factors include older age, female sex, comorbidities, and severe COVID-19, including hospitalization and oxygen requirement. Yet, associations of these factors with prolonged symptoms remain poorly understood globally. Methods: The global, observational cohort study HVTN 405/HPTN 1901 characterizes the clinical and immunologic course in the first year after SARS-CoV-2 infection among adults. The cohort was categorized by infection severity (asymptomatic;symptomatic with no oxygen requirement [NOR];non-invasive oxygen requirement [NIOR];or invasive oxygen requirement [IOR]). A regression model was applied to estimate geometric mean ratios (GMR) for duration and odds ratios (OR) for persistence of symptoms. Results: 759 participants from Peru (25.2%), USA (26.0%), Republic of South Africa (RSA, 37.7%), and non-RSA Sub-Saharan Africa (11.2%) were enrolled a median of 51 (IQR 35-66) days post-diagnosis, from May 2020 to Mar 2021. 53.8% were female, 69.8% were <55yo (median 44yo, IQR 33-58) and identified as non-Hispanic Black (42.7%), Hispanic (27.9%) or non-Hispanic White (15.8%). Comorbidities included obesity (42.8%), hypertension (24%), diabetes (14%), HIV infection (11.6%) and lung disease (7.5%). 76.2% were symptomatic (NOR 47.4%;NIOR 22.9%;and IOR 5.8%). Among symptomatic participants, median acute COVID-19 duration was 20 days (IQR 11-35);43.3% had ≥1 persistent symptom after COVID-19 resolution (39.8% NOR;49.1 % NIOR+IOR;p=0.037);16.8% reported ≥1 symptom >42 days (14.0% NOR;21.6% NIOR+IOR;p=0.025). Symptom duration was not associated with age or sex assigned at birth but was associated with disease severity (GMR 2.09;95%CI 1.5-2.91, p<0.001 for NIOR vs NOR;not significant for IOR vs NIOR), lung disease (GMR 2.43;95%CI 1.42-4.16, p=0.001), and global region (p<0.05, see Figure 1). Prolonged viral shedding was associated with persistent diarrhea (OR 6.59;95%CI 1.65-26.86;p=0.008). Conclusion: A recovery course consistent with PASC was significantly associated with infection severity, lung disease, and region. Regional differences in symptom profiles and duration may be influenced by viral diversity, genetic, or cultural factors and likely reflect disparities in healthcare access and interventions. Better understanding PASC associations may improve clinical assessment and management globally.