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The following is a summary of “Long COVID illness: Disparities in understanding and receipt of care in Emergency Department populations,” published in the September 2024 issue of Emergency Medicine by Rodriguez et al.

Researchers conducted a retrospective study to evaluate the prevalence and impact of long COVID symptoms in a medically underserved Emergency department (ED) population, focusing on gaps in awareness and understanding of the illness.

They examined adult patients at 11 US EDs from December 2022 to October 2023. Awareness and self-reported knowledge of long COVID prevalence, impact on school or work attendance, and the receipt of care for long COVID symptoms were estimated. 

The results showed that out of 1,618 eligible patients, 1,455 (89.9%) agreed to participate, comprising 33.4% African American and 30.9% Latino/a. Among the patients, 17.1% did not have primary care. Overall, 33.2% experienced persistent COVID-19 symptoms lasting longer than 1 month, with 20.3% having symptoms for over 3 months. Also, 49.8% of patients with long COVID symptoms reported missing work or school due to their condition; 30.3% of all participants and 33.5% of those with long COVID symptoms were previously aware and self-reported understanding of long COVID. Characteristics linked to poor knowledge of long COVID were being African American (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 3.68, 95% CI 2.66 to 5.09) and Latino/a (aOR 3.16, 95% CI 2.15 to 4.64). Participants without primary care were less likely to have accessed long COVID care (24.6% compared to 51.2%; difference 26.6%; 95% CI 13.7% to 36.9%).

Investigators concluded that despite the high prevalence and impact of long COVID symptoms, many in the ED population lacked awareness and understanding of the illness, and many had not received care. EDs should develop protocols for diagnosing, educating, and treating long COVID.

Source: annemergmed.com/article/S0196-0644(24)00403-7/fulltext