HSE publishes findings of survey examining the long-term impact of Covid-19

The HSE has published findings from a survey examining the long-term impact of acute Covid-19. The HSE carried out the FADA (follow-up after disease acquisition) survey to better understand the landscape of long Covid in Ireland, and inform continuing development of the HSE’s long Covid interim model of care.

The study also sought to characterise long Covid, describe symptom type, severity, and impact, and assess health service use and need in an Irish community-based sample.

Over 49,000 people with a previously confirmed diagnosis of Covid-19 between 1 March, 2020 and 31 January, 2022, who lived in the Dublin and Midlands region, were invited to complete the FADA survey during summer 2023. This was when the virus that caused Covid-19 was extensively circulating and there was widespread access to Covid-19 testing.

A total of 4,671 people responded to the survey – a response rate of 9.6 per cent. Participants were asked to self-report if they ever had long Covid and to describe their experiences. Of those that responded, 2,338 reported ever having long Covid symptoms, with 424 stating that they were clinically diagnosed by a doctor.

Due to an unequal response to the survey by age, gender, and self-reported long Covid status, a statistical adjustment was necessary, and it estimated that 16 per cent of the population sampled ever experienced symptoms of long Covid. This reduced with later variants.

Long Covid was reported across all age groups, genders, occupations, and prior health statuses. Self-reported long Covid was more common among females, those in their 40s, those who were more physically active, healthcare workers, and those with multiple baseline chronic illnesses.

Among those still ill with long Covid symptoms, the five symptoms most commonly-reported were fatigue, cognitive issues, joint or muscle pain, sleep disturbances, and breathlessness.

Dr Siobhán Ní Bhriain, HSE National Clinical Director Integrated Care, said, “We know that many people experiencing long Covid are managed by GPs through general assessment, advice, education, and self-management supports. For some people, however, further assessment and additional supports are required.

“Several specialised clinics have been developed including post-acute clinics for patients in the more immediate aftermath of Covid-19 and specialised long Covid clinics for those with longer-term symptoms. In December 2022, HIQA (Health Information and Quality Authority) published an international review of clinical guidelines and the model of care for long Covid and found that the approaches and recommendations in the Irish interim model of care were broadly consistent with those found in the international literature.

“The HSE now intends to review its interim model of care for long Covid and is currently finalising the terms of reference for a multi-disciplinary group to undertake this work.”

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