Disability in Long COVID

Abstract

Long COVID is defined as the persistence of COVID-19 symptoms 12 weeks after an acute illness. It currently affects approximately 400 million people worldwide, and there is no specific pharmacological or non-pharmacological treatment. An aspect that has not yet been fully understood is the disability caused by this condition, which has an impact on the patient’s family and personal life, as well as a negative impact on work and economic outcomes. Efforts are being made to address individualized rehabilitation, taking into account factors such as post-exertional malaise or postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, which cause severe disability. Cognitive behavioral therapy, combined with occupational and cognitive ergonomics, appear to be strategies worth considering, although each case must be individualized.