Long COVID Among Kidney Transplant Recipients Appears to Be Attenuated During the Omicron Predominance.

BACKGROUND

Omicron variant has been associated with milder cases of COVID-19 among kidney transplant recipients. However, little is known about postacute sequelae, referred to as Long COVID.

METHODS

Prospective, single-center cohort study investigating prevalence and risk factors for Long COVID among kidney transplant recipients during the omicron predominance in Brazil. The analysis included adult patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection between January 5, 2022, and July 18, 2022, were alive, had a functioning kidney transplant 3 mo after symptom onset, and answered a telephonic survey about physical complains of Long COVID.

RESULTS

From the 1529 eligible, 602 (39%) patients responded the survey. Sixteen percent reported a previous SARS-CoV-2 infection, and 85% had been fully vaccinated. The prevalence of Long COVID was 52%, with the most common complaints being weakness (46%), myalgia (41%), dizziness (33%), and headache (31%). Among employed patients, 94% were able to resume their normal work activities. In multivariable analysis, female gender (hazard ratio [HR], 2.14; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.51-3.02; P  < 0.0001), previous SARS-CoV-2 infection (HR, 3.55; 95% CI, 1.91-6.60; P  < 0.0001), fatigue (HR, 2.32; 95% CI, 1.18-4.55; P  = 0.014), myalgia (HR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.03-2.15; P  = 0.036) during the acute phase, and hospitalization because of COVID-19 (HR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.06-2.76; P  = 0.028) were independently associated with Long COVID.

CONCLUSIONS

In the "omicron era," Long COVID among kidney transplant recipients exhibited milder characteristics and had a less significant impact on their ability to resume normal life activities. The risk factors for persistent symptoms were similar to those observed in the general population except for the vaccination status, underscoring the importance of closer monitoring in special subgroups.