HSE publishes findings of survey examining the long-term impact of acute COVID 19 disease

The HSE today published a report of the findings of a survey examining the long-term impact of acute COVID-19 disease.  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 March 1 2020 and January 31 2022 and 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 widely circulating in the community and there was widespread access to COVID-19 testing.

4,671 people responded to the survey giving a response rate of 9.6%. Those surveyed 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. Of these, 424 reported 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 estimated that 16% of the population sampled ever experienced symptoms of Long COVID. This reduced with later variants.

Commenting Dr Úna Fallon, Consultant Public Health Medicine said, “The detailed information provided by the 2,338 people surveyed who reported ever having Long COVID symptoms contributes significantly to our understanding of prolonged recovery from acute COVID-19 disease. Understanding the nature and impact of long COVID is essential as it helps us shape healthcare policies and improve patient outcomes. The FADA survey, as the largest population-based study of COVID-19 recovery in Ireland to date, provides unique and valuable insights into the lived experience, health status, and healthcare needs of those impacted by Long COVID”.

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 most commonly-reported symptoms were fatigue, cognitive issues (problems affecting thinking, learning, memory, planning, concentration, and decision-making), joint or muscle pain, sleep disturbances and breathlessness.”

Dr Paul Kavanagh, Health Intelligence Unit, HSE added, “We are grateful to everyone who took time to take part in this survey and their contribution has provided an important insight into Long COVID in Ireland. It shows how complex Long COVID is, with many different symptoms. It greatly affects health and daily life. Our findings also highlight the healthcare needs of those affected.  While many of the findings echo emerging international research on Long COVID, this is the single largest study of Long COVID in Ireland to date and will inform the continuing development and improvement of Long COVID services.”

Dr. Siobhán Ní Bhriain, HSE National Clinical Director Integrated Care said, “In September 2021, the HSE launched its Interim Model of Care (MoC) for Long COVID to provide follow-up care and support for patients experiencing persistent symptoms of COVID-19. This provides a framework for how services for people living with Long COVID should be delivered and includes GP services, community-based rehabilitation services, and specialist consultant-led clinics.  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 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. Clinicians, GPs and other healthcare professionals, together with patient advocates for those with Long COVID will have an important role to play in this review and will form part of the group undertaking this work. It is hoped this work will begin early next year.”