Current perspectives on long-COVID: a brief review of understanding and management

Abstract

Objective: Conduct a retrospective analysis of studies compiled in the literature on the current classification of Long-COVID.

Design/methodology/approach: A search was conducted in medical information platforms using the keywords: COVID-19, Long COVID, COVID.19 sequelae, SARS-CoV 2, prolonged COVID. Articles published in the chronological period between 2020 and 2023 in both English and Spanish were used. Inclusion criteria were a maximum of five years since publication, review articles, systematic reviews, meta-analyses or clinical practice guidelines. The exclusion criteria were that the articles exceeded the time limit, that they were opinion articles, case reports or trials.

Results: There is no homogenized definition or standardized guidelines or norms for the diagnosis of Long-COVID, the epidemiological studies are not completely corroborated and there is a great disparity between the incidence rates estimated in the different research works, same case for treatment.

Limitations on study/implications: The lack of homogeneity in the patterns of symptoms, classification and diagnosis by the literature and health officials.

Findings/conclusions: A multidisciplinary approach is required, where clinical findings, laboratory and imaging studies are integrated, to homogenize information in search of adequate and timely Long-COVID diagnoses and effective treatments for the benefit of patients.