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. 2023 Oct 1;17(10):e13190.
doi: 10.1111/irv.13190. eCollection 2023 Oct.

Two-year trajectories of COVID-19 symptoms and their association with illness perception: A prospective cohort study in Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Elke Wynberg  1   2 , Anouk Verveen  3 , Hugo D G van Willigen  2 , Pythia Nieuwkerk  3 , Udi Davidovich  1   3 , Anja Lok  4 , Menno D de Jong  2 , Godelieve J de Bree  5 , Tjalling Leenstra  6 , Hans Knoop  3 , Maria Prins  1   5 , Anders Boyd  1   7 ; RECoVERED Study Group
Collaborators, Affiliations

Two-year trajectories of COVID-19 symptoms and their association with illness perception: A prospective cohort study in Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Elke Wynberg et al. Influenza Other Respir Viruses. .

Abstract

Background: We used data from a prospective cohort to explore 2-year trajectories of 'long COVID' (persistent symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 infection) and their association with illness perception.

Methods: RECoVERED participants (adults; prospectively enrolled following laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, May 2020-June 2021) completed symptom questionnaires at months 2-12, 18 and 24, and the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (B-IPQ) at months 1, 6 and 12. Using group-based trajectory models (GBTM), we modelled symptoms (mean total numbers and proportion with four specific complaints), including age, sex, BMI and timing of infection as covariates. In a multivariable linear mixed-effects model, we assessed the association between symptom trajectories and repeated B-IPQ scores.

Results: Among 292 participants (42% female; median age 51 [IQR = 36-62]), four trajectories were identified, ranging from Trajectory 4 (8.9%; 6 + symptoms) to Trajectory 1 (24.8%; no symptoms). The occurrence of fatigue and myalgia increased among 23% and 12% of participants, respectively. Individuals in Trajectory 4 experienced more negative adjusted B-IPQ scores over time than those in Trajectories 1-3.

Conclusions: We observed little fluctuation in the total number of symptoms, but individual symptoms may develop as others resolve. Reporting a greater number of symptoms was congruent with more negative illness perception over time.

Keywords: COVID‐19; illness perception; sequelae; symptoms; trajectories.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no relevant conflicts of interests to declare.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Group‐based trajectories based on mean total number of long COVID symptoms reported at 2–24 months after illness onset, adjusted for age (years), sex, BMI category and timing of infection (first wave vs. subsequent waves).
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Group‐based trajectories based on the proportion reporting fatigue (A), loss of smell and/or taste (B), myalgia (C) or dyspnoea (D) at 2–24 months after illness onset, adjusted for age (years), sex, BMI category and timing of infection (first wave vs. subsequent waves).
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Multivariable linear mixed‐effects model of total brief illness perception (B‐IPQ) score at M1, M6 and M12 after illness onset, by 2‐year group‐based trajectory group.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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