Factors associated with persistent post-COVID-19 condition and functional limitation four years after SARS-CoV-2 infection
Abstract
Post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) can persist for years after acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, but factors associated with long-term persistence and functional outcomes remain incompletely understood. In this longitudinal cohort study, adults with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection who had volunteered for plasma donation completed surveys approximately 16 and 48 months after infection. Acute-phase demographic characteristics and symptoms were examined for associations with PCC and persistent PCC using multivariable logistic regression analyses. Persistent symptoms at follow-up and their associations with functional limitation, assessed with the Post-COVID Functional Status (PCFS) scale, were examined separately. Among 992 participants in 2021, 609 (61.4%) met criteria for PCC, while 333 of 568 participants (58.6%) fulfilled PCC criteria in 2024. Older age, fatigue, palpitations, depressive symptoms, and concentration and memory difficulties during acute infection were associated with PCC at both follow-up assessments, whereas female sex was associated with PCC only at the 4-year follow-up. Among participants with PCC in 2021, 77.4% continued to meet PCC criteria in 2024; concentration difficulties, depressive symptoms, and older age were associated with persistent PCC. Functional limitation was associated with persistent fatigue, concentration difficulties, dyspnea at rest, and depressive symptoms. These findings demonstrate the persistent nature of PCC and highlight the need for further research into the mechanisms behind PCC and the development of therapeutic strategies.
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BibTeX
@article{faraj2026factors,
title = {{Factors associated with persistent post-COVID-19 condition and functional limitation four years after SARS-CoV-2 infection}},
author = {M. Faraj and A. Grosshennig and N. Goedecke and M. Dirks and A. K. Hennemann and S. Greten and H. Ehrenreich and R. Blasczyk and K. Weissenborn and G. Beutel},
journal = {Scientific Reports},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1038/s41598-026-72491-1},
url = {https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-026-72491-1},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Factors associated with persistent post-COVID-19 condition and functional limitation four years after SARS-CoV-2 infection
AU - M. Faraj
AU - A. Grosshennig
AU - N. Goedecke
AU - M. Dirks
AU - A. K. Hennemann
AU - S. Greten
AU - H. Ehrenreich
AU - R. Blasczyk
AU - K. Weissenborn
AU - G. Beutel
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/01
JO - Scientific Reports
DO - 10.1038/s41598-026-72491-1
UR - https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-026-72491-1
AB - Post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) can persist for years after acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, but factors associated with long-term persistence and functional outcomes remain incompletely understood. In this longitudinal cohort study, adults with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection who had volunteered for plasma donation completed surveys approximately 16 and 48 months after infection. Acute-phase demographic characteristics and symptoms were examined for associations with PCC and persistent PCC using multivariable logistic regression analyses. Persistent symptoms at follow-up and their associations with functional limitation, assessed with the Post-COVID Functional Status (PCFS) scale, were examined separately. Among 992 participants in 2021, 609 (61.4%) met criteria for PCC, while 333 of 568 participants (58.6%) fulfilled PCC criteria in 2024. Older age, fatigue, palpitations, depressive symptoms, and concentration and memory difficulties during acute infection were associated with PCC at both follow-up assessments, whereas female sex was associated with PCC only at the 4-year follow-up. Among participants with PCC in 2021, 77.4% continued to meet PCC criteria in 2024; concentration difficulties, depressive symptoms, and older age were associated with persistent PCC. Functional limitation was associated with persistent fatigue, concentration difficulties, dyspnea at rest, and depressive symptoms. These findings demonstrate the persistent nature of PCC and highlight the need for further research into the mechanisms behind PCC and the development of therapeutic strategies.
SN - 2045-2322
ER -