Post-COVID-19 Condition has High Prevalence in Patients with Immune-mediated Inflammatory Diseases and Negatively Impacts Quality of Life.
- 1Department of Oncology, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Pneumology and Infectious Diseases, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Germany.
- 2Medical Clinic III: Endocrinology, Nephrology and Rheumatology, Rheumatology, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany.
Abstract
Introduction
Pandemic situation by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and the associated disease (coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID-19]) presents broad challenges. Post-COVID-19 condition represents a continuum of persistent symptoms following the acute course. The World Health Organization (WHO) proposes a definition with at least one symptom persisting for 3 months postonset. Negative affection toward quality of life (QoL) is frequently reported. Patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs), such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and rheumatic diseases (RDs) are of scientific interest as immunologic factors and immunosuppressive therapy might influence QoL in post-COVID-19 conditions.Methods
Adult IMID patients (≥18 years) were offered participation in this study at our university outpatient center. Data collection was questionnaire-based and recorded individual COVID-19 history and persisting symptoms. QoL has been assessed by several standardized and validated patient-reported outcome measures (Short IBD Questionnaire and Patient Health Questionnaire 4, 5Q-5D-5L).Results
A total of 156 patients were included (117 [75%] with IBD, 39 [25%] with RDs). Eighty-one patients (51%) reported a positive COVID-19 history, mostly with mild courses. Only two (2%) required hospitalization, one requiring intensive care. Seven (9%) reported no symptoms, while 20 (25%) met the WHO criterion for post-COVID-19 condition; 19 (23%) were still suffering from post-COVID-19 at the time of data acquisition. Mean/median global QoL scores (scale from 0 [=lowest] to 100 [=highest]) were 71.5/75 in patients without post-COVID-19, compared to 61.9/60 in those with the condition. A one-sided t-test showed a significant association between post-COVID-19 and lower QoL (P = 0.03).Conclusions
A relevant fraction of IMID patients suffered from post-COVID-19 condition. This condition negatively impacted the individual QoL.
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BibTeX
@article{schlosser2026postcovid19,
title = {{Post-COVID-19 Condition has High Prevalence in Patients with Immune-mediated Inflammatory Diseases and Negatively Impacts Quality of Life.}},
author = {Tobias Schlosser and Marco Krasselt and Martin Hecker and Babett Holler and Albrecht Hoffmeister},
journal = {Journal of global infectious diseases},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.4103/jgid.jgid_142_25},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42899016},
note = {CC BY-NC-SA},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Post-COVID-19 Condition has High Prevalence in Patients with Immune-mediated Inflammatory Diseases and Negatively Impacts Quality of Life.
AU - Tobias Schlosser
AU - Marco Krasselt
AU - Martin Hecker
AU - Babett Holler
AU - Albrecht Hoffmeister
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/01
JO - Journal of global infectious diseases
DO - 10.4103/jgid.jgid_142_25
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42899016
AB - Introduction Pandemic situation by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and the associated disease (coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID-19]) presents broad challenges. Post-COVID-19 condition represents a continuum of persistent symptoms following the acute course. The World Health Organization (WHO) proposes a definition with at least one symptom persisting for 3 months postonset. Negative affection toward quality of life (QoL) is frequently reported. Patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs), such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and rheumatic diseases (RDs) are of scientific interest as immunologic factors and immunosuppressive therapy might influence QoL in post-COVID-19 conditions.Methods Adult IMID patients (≥18 years) were offered participation in this study at our university outpatient center. Data collection was questionnaire-based and recorded individual COVID-19 history and persisting symptoms. QoL has been assessed by several standardized and validated patient-reported outcome measures (Short IBD Questionnaire and Patient Health Questionnaire 4, 5Q-5D-5L).Results A total of 156 patients were included (117 [75%] with IBD, 39 [25%] with RDs). Eighty-one patients (51%) reported a positive COVID-19 history, mostly with mild courses. Only two (2%) required hospitalization, one requiring intensive care. Seven (9%) reported no symptoms, while 20 (25%) met the WHO criterion for post-COVID-19 condition; 19 (23%) were still suffering from post-COVID-19 at the time of data acquisition. Mean/median global QoL scores (scale from 0 [=lowest] to 100 [=highest]) were 71.5/75 in patients without post-COVID-19, compared to 61.9/60 in those with the condition. A one-sided t-test showed a significant association between post-COVID-19 and lower QoL (P = 0.03).Conclusions A relevant fraction of IMID patients suffered from post-COVID-19 condition. This condition negatively impacted the individual QoL.
SN - 0974-777X
SN - 0974-8245
ER -