In the U.K., 3%-11% of the population is estimated to have Long COVID, defined as symptoms lasting at least 12 weeks after acute COVID-19 infection. To help guide policymaking and inform the public, the U.K.’s government’s ongoing Coronavirus infection Survey (CIS) measures how many people in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland have tested positive for the virus and live with persistent symptoms. Results of the survey revealed Long COVID’s burden on U.K. citizens and confirmed groups thought to be most vulnerable.*

What the researchers did

In a study appearing in the journal International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology, U.K. investigators analyzed CIS responses between March 6, 2022 and April 3, 2022 with two aims:

• Determining prevalence of ears-nose-throat (ENT)-related Long COVID symptoms 
• Confirming population groups believed to be most at risk for developing Long COVID

Regarding CIS methodology:

• Data was collected from participants aged two years and up (carers responded for those under age 12). Participants were volunteers from randomly chosen private addresses.
• Self-reported Long COVID (i.e., people without a positive COVID test) was defined as symptoms lasting more than four (4) weeks after suspected infection.

What they found

Of the nearly 363,000 responses received, 10,431 participants reported Long COVID symptoms, most with a prior positive COVID test. When generalized, this translates to an estimated 1.8 million U.K. residents, or 2.8% of the population. 

• Most respondents were over age 50
• 12% were under age 17
• More than half were female
• Roughly 93% were White 

The vast majority had Long COVID for more than 12 weeks after initial infection, with nearly a third of respondents suffering for over a year.

Fatigue was the most reported Long COVID symptom, at 51.2% after four (4) weeks and 50.3% after 12 weeks. ENT-related Long COVID symptoms after four (4) weeks and 12 weeks, respectively, were:

• Breathlessness, 32.9% and 33.5%
• Loss of smell, 26.4% and 31.4%
• Loss of taste, 20.6% and 23.8%
• Vertigo or dizziness, 12.6% and 13.2%
• Runny nose or sneezing, 11.1% and 10.6%
• Wheezing (noisy breathing), 10.8% and 10.8%
• Sore throat, 9.6% and 9.3%

The highest estimated Long COVID rates among U.K. citizens belonged to:

• Adults aged 35-49, 
• Females,  
• Whites, and 
• Those with pre-existing disabilities and health conditions that limited daily activity.

What it means

The study is limited, for example, by:

• The lack of racial, ethnic, and gender diversity, 
• The potential inaccuracy of self-reporting, 
• Participants dropping out during follow-up, and 
• Possible overestimation of Long COVID prevalence by using four weeks as a definition. 

That said, the authors say the study confirms previous research on Long COVID symptoms and that people with disabilities are more vulnerable to post-COVID illness. 

They suggest that policymakers “should focus on assisting the most vulnerable groups by widening access to chemosensory disorder and long COVID clinics in the UK,” and that “[a] recent James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership has confirmed that there is still demand for high-quality clinical trials in the management of chemosensory disorders and long COVID.”

*Ajay Gokani, S., Hong Ta, N., Espehana, A., Mairenn Garden, E., et al. (2022, December 8). The growing burden of long COVID in the United Kingdom: Insights from the UK Coronavirus Infection Survey. International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology. https://doi.org/10.1002/alr.23103