OPINION ARTICLE
It is Time to Recognize the Severity of Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC)
Christopher J Lehmann1, *, Rasika Karnik2, Renslow Sherer1
Article Information
Identifiers and Pagination:
Year: 2022Volume: 2
E-location ID: e266695872209160
Publisher ID: e266695872209160
DOI: 10.2174/26669587-v2-e2209160
Article History:
Received Date: 23/5/2022Revision Received Date: 29/6/2022
Acceptance Date: 5/8/2022
Electronic publication date: 01/11/2022
Collection year: 2022

open-access license: This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Public License (CC-BY 4.0), a copy of which is available at: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode. This license permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Abstract
Introduction:
Post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC), often referred to as “long COVID” or “COVID long hauler” syndrome, is an increasingly recognized subacute to chronic manifestation of COVID-19. The incidence of PASC has been estimated to be 10-30% of all infections.
Methods:
We reviewed the literature on PASC to determine the frequency of the most severe forms of PASC based on medical complications, degree of disability, and ability to return to work following COVID-19.
Results:
We found that the reported frequency of the most severe forms of PASC ranges from 6-18%, and is higher among hospitalized patients and among older patients. Given the degree of morbidity, mortality, and strain to health systems, increasingly attributed to PASC, we advocate that PASC be recognized as a severe manifestation of COVID-19.
Conclusion:
Recognizing PASC as a severe manifestation of COVID-19 could help mobilize attention and resources to this important diagnosis.