A Systematic Review and Quality Evaluation of Studies on Long-Term Sequelae of COVID-19
September 2022
TLDR COVID-19 can cause long-term lung, skin, and mental health problems, especially in women, people with other health issues, and those who had severe COVID-19.
This systematic review evaluated the long-term effects or chronic sequelae of COVID-19. The review included cohort studies, case series, and clinical case reports from various databases, covering information published from 2020 to June 1, 2022. A total of 300 manuscripts were initially reviewed, with 32 ultimately included in the study. The findings indicate that the most common long-term effects of COVID-19 are related to the lungs, followed by skin, cutaneous, and psychiatric alterations. Women, individuals with comorbidities, and those with a severe history of COVID-19 reported a higher incidence of these sequelae. The study concludes that the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in millions of people potentially suffering from serious illnesses that will continue to burden healthcare systems worldwide.
