[Reading Science] Long COVID Patients Exceed 65 Million Worldwide

Research Results from US Patient-Led Organization
"More than 10% of Minimally Infected Experience Symptoms"
"Chronic Health Issues Such as Heart Failure and Autonomic Nervous System Disorders Lasting Over 12 Weeks Reported"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] An elderly woman in her 80s, Ms. A, was infected with COVID-19 last May and has not fully regained her sense of smell even after recovery. As a result, she lost her appetite, leading to weight loss and decreased vitality, worsening her health. Previously, she could walk out alone, but these days she has to rely on a wheelchair.

At least 65 million people worldwide suffer from long-term aftereffects of COVID-19 infection, known as long COVID-19, with research showing that women aged 30 to 55 are particularly vulnerable.

The Patient-Led Research Collaborative, a self-organized research group of patients experiencing post-COVID-19 symptoms, published a paper on the 13th in the international journal Nature Reviews Microbiology detailing these findings. It reported that globally, 65 million COVID-19 patients suffer from side effects such as headaches, dizziness, brain damage, neurological dysfunction, nausea, breathing difficulties, loss of smell and taste, and allergies lasting more than 12 weeks after initial infection.

This figure means that more than 10% of COVID-19 patients experience chronic health impairments. The 65 million figure is based on a conservative estimate of 10% of the approximately 651 million officially reported COVID-19 cases worldwide, so the actual number may be much higher. In reality, the incidence is 10-30% among non-hospitalized patients, 50-70% among severely hospitalized patients, and about 10-12% among vaccinated individuals who become infected, according to the researchers.

The research team also stated that long COVID occurs across all age groups but is most prevalent among those aged 36 to 50, and that severity is strongly related to the condition. Those with mild cases, such as non-hospitalized patients, experience milder long COVID symptoms, while those with severe cases suffer more intense symptoms. Additionally, women aged 30 to 55 were found to be at higher risk.

The team further pointed out that long COVID patients may develop long-term health disorders such as myalgic encephalomyelitis, chronic fatigue syndrome, and autonomic nervous system dysfunction. About half of long COVID patients exhibit symptoms that meet diagnostic criteria for these conditions.

Brandon Crabb, director of Australia's Burnet Institute, said, "These astonishing research results should prompt the Australian government to reconsider its lax attitude toward COVID-19," adding, "Imagine a person experiencing these symptoms every time they get reinfected with COVID-19."

Earlier, a study by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs involving 150,000 people revealed that COVID-19 patients, regardless of severity, have an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart failure and stroke one year after infection.