Persistierende Beschwerden nach akuter COVID-19-Erkrankung: "Long-COVID"?

August, Dietrich; Götz, Veronika; Stete, Katarina

Some patients complain of persisting symptoms after acute COVID-19. There is no universal definition yet for these post-acute sequelae, also termed Long COVID. Although their prevalence remains to be established, a delayed recovery seems to be more common than after other acute infectious diseases. Common complaints include fatigue with exercise intolerance, dyspnea on exertion, chest pain, and neuropsychiatric symptoms. Female sex, comorbidities, and severity of the acute disease have been identified as risk factors for persisting symptoms. It is, however, important to highlight that they are not limited to patients after severe COVID-19. Whilst their pathogenesis and prognosis is largely unknown, diagnostic evaluation should focus on exclusion of objective organ dysfunctions. Due to the variable presentation, management is interdisciplinary and may include physiotherapy, rehabilitation programmes, and psychological support. This article aims to summarize the current - limited - evidence on persisting symptoms after COVID-19.