Exploring Long Covid Prevalence and Patient Uncertainty by Sociodemographic Characteristics Using GP Patient Survey Data

IF 3.2 3区医学 Q2 HEALTH CARE SCIENCES & SERVICES Health Expectations Pub Date : 2025-03-17 DOI:10.1111/hex.70202

Mirembe Woodrow, Nida Ziauddeen, Dianna Smith, Nisreen A. Alwan

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Abstract

Background

The high global burden of Long Covid (LC) has significant implications for population well-being, health care, social care and national economies.

Aim

To explore associations between patient sociodemographic and health characteristics with two outcomes: having LC and expressing uncertainty about having LC, as described by general practice (GP) survey respondents.

Design and Setting

Analysis of GP Patient Survey (England), a random sample of 759,149 patients aged 16 years+ registered with a GP in England (2023).

Method

Multivariable logistic regression modelling comparing those with and without LC, and those who were unsure in relation to patient characteristics.

Results

4.8% of respondents reported having LC, and 9.1% were unsure. Significant adjusted associations indicating higher risk of LC included age (highest odds 35−54 years), sex (females), ethnicity (White Gypsy/Irish Traveller, mixed/multiple ethnic groups), sexual orientation (gay/lesbian or bisexual), living in a deprived area, being a carer or a parent and having a long-term condition (LTC). Those aged ≤ 25 years, males, non-binary, heterosexual, not parents or carers, from other White, Indian, Bangladeshi, Chinese, Black or Arab backgrounds, former and current smokers, and with no defined LTC were more likely in adjusted analysis to be unsure about having LC compared to answering ‘yes’.

Conclusion

There is an unequal distribution of LC in England, with the condition being more prevalent in minoritised and disadvantaged groups. There are also high levels of uncertainty about having LC. Improved awareness is needed amongst the general population and health care professionals to ensure those most vulnerable in society are identified and provided with care and support.

Patient or Public Contribution

The analysis builds on previous studies co-created with people with lived experience. A public contributor advised on discussions on dissemination towards optimal impact of this study's findings. Study findings will inform the next phases of the research in which the research questions and design will be co-created with public partners.

How This Fits in

In England there is high prevalence of Long Covid, a COVID-19 infection-induced chronic condition that can limit daily activities significantly. The burden of ill health from Long Covid is unequal, with minoritised groups experiencing higher prevalence. This study adds further evidence of inequality in the prevalence of Long Covid, but also reveals that there are more people who are unsure whether they have Long Covid than those who are confident they have it, with certain groups that are already disadvantaged being more likely to be uncertain if they have the condition. Findings underline a need for greater awareness of Long Covid amongst the public and health care professionals, and for diagnosis, treatment and support to be better distributed according to need.

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利用全科医生患者调查数据，通过社会人口学特征探索长期流行率和患者不确定性

长期Covid （LC）的高全球负担对人口福祉、卫生保健、社会保健和国民经济产生重大影响。目的探讨患者社会人口学和健康特征与两种结果之间的关系：如全科医生（GP）调查受访者所描述的，患有LC和表达不确定是否患有LC。GP患者调查（英国）的设计与设置分析，随机抽样759,149名在英国（2023年）注册的16岁以上的患者。方法采用多变量logistic回归模型，对有无LC的患者以及与患者特征不确定的患者进行比较。结果4.8%的受访者报告有LC， 9.1%的受访者不确定。表明LC风险较高的显著调整关联包括年龄（35 - 54岁之间的风险最高）、性别（女性）、种族（白人吉普赛/爱尔兰旅行者、混合/多种族）、性取向（男/女同性恋或双性恋）、生活在贫困地区、作为照顾者或父母以及患有长期疾病（LTC）。年龄≤25岁、男性、非二元、异性恋、没有父母或照顾者、来自其他白人、印度人、孟加拉国人、中国人、黑人或阿拉伯人背景、曾经和现在的吸烟者、没有明确的长期吸烟的人，在调整分析中更有可能不确定是否患有长期吸烟，而不是回答“是”。结论LC在英国的分布不均匀，在少数民族和弱势群体中更为普遍。有LC也有很高的不确定性。需要提高普通民众和保健专业人员的认识，以确保查明社会中最脆弱的群体，并向他们提供照顾和支持。该分析建立在与有生活经验的人共同创建的先前研究的基础上。一名公众投稿人就如何传播以使本研究结果产生最佳影响的讨论提出建议。研究结果将为研究的下一阶段提供信息，其中研究问题和设计将与公共合作伙伴共同创建。在英国，长冠肺炎的患病率很高，这是一种由Covid -19感染引起的慢性疾病，可能会严重限制日常活动。长冠肺炎造成的健康不良负担是不平等的，少数群体的患病率更高。这项研究进一步证明了长冠状病毒的患病率不平等，但也表明，不确定自己是否患有长冠状病毒的人比确信自己患有长冠状病毒的人更多，某些已经处于不利地位的群体更有可能不确定自己是否患有这种疾病。调查结果强调，需要提高公众和卫生保健专业人员对长冠状病毒的认识，并根据需要更好地分配诊断、治疗和支持。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Health Expectations 医学-公共卫生、环境卫生与职业卫生

CiteScore

5.20

自引率

9.40%

发文量

251

审稿时长

>12 weeks

期刊介绍： Health Expectations promotes critical thinking and informed debate about all aspects of patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) in health and social care, health policy and health services research including: • Person-centred care and quality improvement • Patients'' participation in decisions about disease prevention and management • Public perceptions of health services • Citizen involvement in health care policy making and priority-setting • Methods for monitoring and evaluating participation • Empowerment and consumerism • Patients'' role in safety and quality • Patient and public role in health services research • Co-production (researchers working with patients and the public) of research, health care and policy Health Expectations is a quarterly, peer-reviewed journal publishing original research, review articles and critical commentaries. It includes papers which clarify concepts, develop theories, and critically analyse and evaluate specific policies and practices. The Journal provides an inter-disciplinary and international forum in which researchers (including PPIE researchers) from a range of backgrounds and expertise can present their work to other researchers, policy-makers, health care professionals, managers, patients and consumer advocates.