Symptom profiles in long COVID compared to functional somatic disorder and the general population.

INTRODUCTION

Long COVID, characterised by persistent symptoms following COVID-19, affects about 10% of individuals recovering from SARS-CoV-2. The overlap of symptoms described in long COVID and functional somatic disorder (FSD) raises questions about shared pathophysiology. This report compares the prevalence and profiles of physical symptoms among patients with long COVID, patients with FSD and the general population.

METHODS

Data from a cohort of patients with long COVID referred for diagnostics, a cohort of patients seen in a regional clinic for FSD and individuals from the general population were used. Questionnaires, including the bodily distress syndrome checklist, were used to assess physical symptoms.

RESULTS

A total of 436 patients with long COVID, 264 patients with FSD and 9,656 individuals from the general population were included. A lower prevalence of symptoms was observed in patients with long COVID than in patients with FSD. However, the prevalence of symptoms in patients with long COVID remained higher than in the general population. In patients with long COVID, dominant symptoms were from the general symptoms (GS) cluster (concentration difficulties, fatigue, headache, memory problems) and muscle pain. Additionally, 11% met the criteria for multi-organ FSD, exhibiting a similar symptom profile to patients with FSD.

CONCLUSIONS

A total of 11% of long COVID patients had a symptom profile similar to that of patients with multi-organ FSD. GS, including fatigue and muscle pain, were common. These findings highlight the need for prospective studies to identify patients with similar symptoms, pathogenesis and treatment options.

FUNDING: None.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: Not relevant.