A core outcome set for post-COVID-19 condition in adults for use in clinical practice and research: an international Delphi consensus study

Munblit, D. et al. (2022) A core outcome set for post-COVID-19 condition in adults for use in clinical practice and research: an international Delphi consensus study. Lancet Respiratory Medicine, 10(7), pp. 715-724. (doi: 10.1016/S2213-2600(22)00169-2) (PMID:35714658) (PMCID:PMC9197249)

Abstract

Health consequences that persist beyond the acute infection phase of COVID-19, termed post-COVID-19 condition (also commonly known as long COVID), vary widely and represent a growing global health challenge. Research on post-COVID-19 condition is expanding but, at present, no agreement exists on the health outcomes that should be measured in people living with the condition. To address this gap, we conducted an international consensus study, which included a comprehensive literature review and classification of outcomes for post-COVID-19 condition that informed a two-round online modified Delphi process followed by an online consensus meeting to finalise the core outcome set (COS). 1535 participants from 71 countries were involved, with 1148 individuals participating in both Delphi rounds. Eleven outcomes achieved consensus for inclusion in the final COS: fatigue; pain; post-exertion symptoms; work or occupational and study changes; survival; and functioning, symptoms, and conditions for each of cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous system, cognitive, mental health, and physical outcomes. Recovery was included a priori because it was a relevant outcome that was part of a previously published COS on COVID-19. The next step in this COS development exercise will be to establish the instruments that are most appropriate to measure these core outcomes. This international consensus-based COS should provide a framework for standardised assessment of adults with post-COVID-19 condition, aimed at facilitating clinical care and research worldwide.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: There was no funding for the first stage of the Post-COVID-19 Condition Core Outcome Set (PC-COS) study; the second stage of the PC-COS study is funded by the UK National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR; grant COV-LT2-0072). DM has received grants from the British Embassy in Moscow, the NIHR, and the Russian Foundation for Basic Research. TN and PRW have received funding from the NIHR.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Scott, Dr Janet
• Authors: Munblit, D., Nicholson, T., Akrami, A., Apfelbacher, C., Chen, J., De Groote, W., Diaz, J. V., Gorst, S. L., Harman, N., Kokorina, A., Olliaro, P., Parr, C., Preller, J., Schiess, N., Schmitt, J., Seylanova, N., Simpson, F., Tong, A., Needham, D. M., Williamson, P. R., and PC-COS Project Steering Committee Group,
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity > Centre for Virus Research
• Journal Name: Lancet Respiratory Medicine
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 2213-2600
• ISSN (Online): 2213-2619
• Published Online: 14 June 2022
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2022 Elsevier
• First Published: First published in Lancet Respiratory Medicine 10(7): 715-724
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher