INSPIRE registry study details prevalance of long-term COVID-19

A new study, from the CDC-funded INSPIRE registry, has found that half of the COVID-19 patients and one-quarter of COVID-negative patients, who had acute COVID-19-like symptoms, tested positive, for at least one symptom, three months later.

The study's publication is one of many that sheds light on the lasting effects of the SARS-CoV-2 infection, according to Yale School of Medicine. Known as long COVID, the post-viral syndrome can have a wide range of symptoms that affect different organ systems, which makes it difficult to research.

“It’s validating for patients who are experiencing long COVID, and a message to clinicians that this is common and to be prepared to take care of people with this condition,” Yale cardiology and epidemiology associate professor Erica Spatz said, according to Yale School of Medicine.

To address long COVID's research challenges, the INSPIRE registry enrolled 6,000 participants, from which the research team evaluated the first 1,000 enrollees in the recently published study. The team followed up with participants every three months for 18 months, sending them surveys to assess the range of symptoms they may have been experiencing. 

The study found that fatigue symptoms were similar across both COVID-positive and COVID-negative groups, with one in six people across both groups experiencing severe fatigue.

While long COVID's prevalence varies widely, from 10% to as high as 65%, due to differences in methodology, INSPIRE's registry uses a new research method.

“INSPIRE reflects Yale’s innovative approach to research on which the majority of participants have been enrolled virtually and most have shared data through an entirely digital mobile platform,” said Arjun Venkatesh, incoming chair and associate professor and chief of the section of administration in the Department of Emergency Medicine.

Yale School of Medicine states the registry will continue to provide researchers with valuable data on long COVID's long-term health outcomes, such as whether they differ based on the SARS-CoV-2 variant period or COVID-19 vaccination status.