Risk of Post-acute Symptoms and Conditions After SARS-CoV-2 Compared to Other Respiratory Viral Infections: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Background
How post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) differs from post-acute infection syndromes (PAIS) caused by other respiratory viruses remains uncertain. Comparing these conditions may clarify whether post-acute symptoms reflect specific consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection or broader post-viral mechanisms.
Methods
We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies comparing persistent symptoms or conditions in adults after SARS-CoV-2 infection with those following other acute respiratory viral infections. PubMed, Embase, and Scopus were searched. Random-effects models were used to estimate pooled risks.
Results
Among 9,371 records screened, 22 studies were included and 14 contributed to the meta-analysis. Increased risk after SARS-CoV-2 infection was observed for pulmonary embolism, abnormal breathing, fatigue, hemorrhagic stroke, memory loss/brain fog, and palpitations; heart rate abnormalities showed borderline significance. For most other outcomes pooled estimates were inconclusive.
Conclusions
Only a subset of outcomes appears more frequent after SARS-CoV-2 infection, suggesting many symptoms attributed to PCC may reflect broader post-viral syndromes.
Web | DOI | PDF | medRxiv | Preprint
Pinto, Tomaz Fonseca; Santoro, Andrea; Oliveira, Ana Laura Grossi; Tavares, Thais Silva; Almeida, Andre; Incardona, Francesca; Marchetti, Giulia; Cozzi-Lepri, Alessandro; Pinto, Jorge; Caporali, Julia Fonseca Morais
Background
How post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) differs from post-acute infection syndromes (PAIS) caused by other respiratory viruses remains uncertain. Comparing these conditions may clarify whether post-acute symptoms reflect specific consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection or broader post-viral mechanisms.
Methods
We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies comparing persistent symptoms or conditions in adults after SARS-CoV-2 infection with those following other acute respiratory viral infections. PubMed, Embase, and Scopus were searched. Random-effects models were used to estimate pooled risks.
Results
Among 9,371 records screened, 22 studies were included and 14 contributed to the meta-analysis. Increased risk after SARS-CoV-2 infection was observed for pulmonary embolism, abnormal breathing, fatigue, hemorrhagic stroke, memory loss/brain fog, and palpitations; heart rate abnormalities showed borderline significance. For most other outcomes pooled estimates were inconclusive.
Conclusions
Only a subset of outcomes appears more frequent after SARS-CoV-2 infection, suggesting many symptoms attributed to PCC may reflect broader post-viral syndromes.
Web | DOI | PDF | medRxiv | Preprint