Unraveling the post-COVID syndrome journey: a systematic review with meta-analysis exploring the changes in post-COVID syndrome symptoms (PCS-Journey)

Post-COVID Syndrome (PCS) is characterized by a wide range of symptoms that persist in some individuals even after the acute phase of COVID-19. While some people experience full recovery, others continue to suffer from long-term impairments. Systematic monitoring of symptoms over time is essential to improve treatment and ensure that affected individuals receive the necessary support.

Project Aim

The project aims to systematically investigate changes in symptom prevalence and severity among individuals with PCS in longitudinal studies and to identify prognostic factors for these changes. This will be conducted through a systematic review with meta-analysis. Longitudinal observational and interventional studies will be included if they assess and report the prevalence of PCS symptoms at a minimum of two time points within a cohort of individuals aged 18 years and older. In addition, changes in patient-reported outcome measures between time points will be analyzed as secondary outcomes.

Basic Information

Duration: 18 months
Funder: Federal Ministry of Health (BMG)

Project Partners

• University Medical Center Göttingen (UMG), Institute of General Practice (Coordinator)
• Institute of Medical Statistics, UMG
• Hannover Medical School (MHH), Department of Rheumatology and Immunologyik für Rheumatologie und Immunologie