Presentation (CTI)

OBJECTIVES: Long COVID symptom is one of poor clinical outcomes from COVID-19 infection. This symptom may be affected by diverse risk factors including chronic diseases. The objective of this study is to examine the risk factors for long COVID symptom among adults in the United States utilizing a nationally representative survey data.
METHODS: A pooled cross-sectional analysis was conducted based upon a multivariable logistic model, utilizing 2022-23 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data. Outcome variable was whether COVID symptom lasted more than 3 months. Covariates included age group, race/ethnicity, sex, marital status, education, medical cost affordability, smoking status, income level, and chronic diseases. Target population was adults with positive COVID diagnosis. Final sample size was 20,125 adults with COVID positive diagnosis ever after removing any missing values in covariates.
RESULTS: Among a total of 20,125 adults with COVID positive diagnosis, 17.4% people had experience of long COVID symptom. Among demographics, 65 and older age group and male were 35% and 43% less likely to have long COVID symptom than 64 and younger age group and female, respectively (p<0.001). People without medical cost affordability showed 61% (p<0.001) more experience in long COVID symptom than people with affordability. Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, depression, and arthritis 69% (p<0.001), 37% (p=0.001), 31% (p=0.003) and 42% (p<0.001) more experience in long COVID symptom than those without, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS: Vulnerable population in long COVID symptom was patients with COPD, asthma, depression or arthritis. In addition, disparities in long COVID symptom experience were found among demographic variables. 64 or younger age group, female, and people without medical cost affordability were vulnerable population in long COVID symptom.