Association of Self-Reported COVID-19 Infection and SARS-CoV-2 Serology Test Results with Persistent Physical Symptoms in French Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Matta J, Wiernik E, Robineau O, et al. Association of self-reported COVID-19 infection and SARS-CoV-2 serology test results with persistent physical symptoms in French adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.JAMA Intern Med. Published online November 8, 2021. doi: 10.1001 / jamainternmed.2021.6454

Commentary

This study investigated the association between self-reported COVID-19 infection and SARS-CoV-2 serology results with persistent physical symptoms in the general population.

A cross-sectional analysis allowed participants to participate in the nested SAPRIS and SAPRIS-SERO surveys. A total of 26,823 individuals from the French population-based CONSTANCES cohort included between 2012 and 2019 were included, and anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were detected using an enzyme immunoassay between May and November 2020.

During the period of December 2020 to January 2021, participants reported their experience of COVID-19 infection and whether or not they believed they had had physical symptoms that had persisted for the previous 4 to 8 weeks.

They also excluded participants who reported their first COVID-19 infection only after the completion of serological testing.

Of the 35,852 volunteers who were encouraged to participate in the study, 26 823 (74.8%) with complete data were included. The results showed that self-reported infection was positively associated with persistent physical symptoms, with odds ratios ranging from 1.39 (95% CI, 1.03-1.86) to 16.37 (95% CI, 10.21-26.24), excluding hearing impairment.

Serological test results positive for SARS-COV-2 were positively associated only with persistent anosmia, even when the analysis was restricted to participants whose symptoms were attributable to COVID-19 infection. Further adjustment for self-rated health status and depressive symptoms yielded similar results.