In a recent study published in the journal Nature Communications , a group of researchers compared the proportion of emergency department patients who developed Post-Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Condition (PCC) symptoms between those who tested positive and those who tested negative for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Study: Post-COVID-19 condition symptoms among emergency department patients tested for SARS-CoV-2 infection . Image Credit: p.
ill.i / Shutterstock Background The COVID-19 pandemic has caused over 775 million infections globally, with millions experiencing persistent symptoms, commonly known as long COVID. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines PCC as symptoms lasting at least two months, typically starting three months after confirmed or probable SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Based on estimates, over 77 million people could be living with PCC. Further research is needed to refine diagnostic criteria for PCC, as its symptoms overlap with other conditions, leading to potential overdiagnosis and hindering accurate treatment. About the study The Canadian COVID-19 Emergency Department Rapid Response Network (CCEDRRN) conducted a PCC sub-study across 33 sites in five provinces.
Ethical approval was granted with a waiver of informed consent, and participants provided verbal consent for follow-up phone interviews. Adults tested for SARS-CoV-2 in emergency departments between October 2020 and February 2022 were eligible, with e.
