Towards consensus: The need for standardised definitions in Long (post) COVID care in 34 European countries
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted global healthcare systems, leading to challenges in managing Long COVID. Variations in definitions and diagnostic criteria across Europe hinder recognition and treatment efforts. This study aims to analyse and compare the definitions of Long COVID used in 34 European countries. METHODS: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted involving key informants from 34 European countries, utilising an online questionnaire to gather data on Long COVID definitions. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were employed to assess the variability of definitions and challenges in managing Long COVID. RESULTS: The study found significant variation in Long COVID definitions among the participating countries; the most frequent definition was the other definition (n: 17, 50.0%), followed by the World Health Organisation's definition (n: 16, 47.0%) and the CDC definition (n: 11, 32.3%). Half of the countries reported using multiple definitions simultaneously, indicating a lack of standardisation. Qualitative analyses highlighted challenges such as difficulties in standardising terminology, variability in clinical criteria, and issues with implementing diagnostic codes. CONCLUSION: The findings underscore the need for a unified, yet adaptable, definition of Long COVID. Such a definition would support general practitioners (GPs) by simplifying diagnostic processes, improving continuity of care, and facilitating equitable patient access to multidisciplinary resources. The current lack of consensus complicates patient care, data collection, and resource allocation, impacting health policy development. Future efforts should focus on achieving agreement on definitions to ensure equitable treatment and effective healthcare responses to Long COVID.
Authors: Raquel Gomez-Bravo, Sandra León-Herrera, Marina Guisado-Clavero, Ileana Gefaell, Xenia Wostmann, Nathalie Wössner, Shlomo Vinker, Francesca Vassallo La Ferla, Erva Kırkoç Üçüncü, Georgi Tsigarovski, Péter Torzsa, Kadri Suija, Aleksander Stepanović, Theresa Sentker, Anna Segernäs, Bohumil Seifert, Marta Sánchez-Castro, Jochen G. Schneider, Anna Repovská, Ferdinando Petrazzuoli, Davorina Petek, Abel Perjes, Naldy Parodi López, Ana Luisa Neves, Katarzyna Nessler, Jean Muris, Achim Mortsiefer, Sarah Moreels, Tatjana Meister, Pekka Mäntyselkä, Liubovė Murauskienė, Heidrun Lingner, Anna Krztoń-Królewiecka, Milena Kostic, Büsra Çimen Korkmaz, Snezana Knezevic, Stylianos Kazakos, Vasilis Karathanos, Ivanna Shushman, Oksana Ilkov, Kathryn Hoffmann, Bruno Heleno, Miroslav Hanževački, Dragan Gjorgjievski, Thomas Frese, Marta Fournier, Louise Fitzgerald, Sabīne Feldmane, Marina Dotsenko, Philip-Richard Domeyer, Daniel Croucher, Vojtech Cerny, Jako S. Burgers, Elena Brutskaya-Stempkovskaya, Carmen Iliana Busneag, Nicola Buono, Sherihane Bensemmane, Sabine Bayen, Maria Bakola, Radost Assenova, Limor Adler, Sara Ares-Blanco, María Pilar Astier-Peña
Institutions: Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg, University of Luxembourg, Universidad de Zaragoza, Madrid Health Service, Fundación para la Investigación e Innovación Biosanitaria de Atención Primaria, Comenius University Bratislava, Tel Aviv University, Mater Dei Hospital, Medical University Plovdiv, Semmelweis University, University of Eastern Finland, University of Tartu, University of Ljubljana, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Linköping University, Charles University, Lund University, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, University of Gothenburg, Universidade do Porto, Imperial College London, Jagiellonian University, Maastricht University, Witten/Herdecke University, Sciensano (Belgium), Vilnius University, Andrzej Frycz Modrzewski Krakow University, Akademija strukovnih studija Politehnika, University of Ioannina, Uzhhorod National University, Medical University of Vienna, Administração Regional de Saúde de Lisboa e Vale do Tejo, Comprehensive Health Research Centre, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, University of Zagreb, Andrija Stampar Teaching Institute of Public Health, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, Royal College of Physicians, Irish College of General Practitioners, Riga Stradiņš University, Belarusian State Medical University, Hellenic Open University, Bayburt State Hospital, Evercare Hospital Dhaka, Opća bolnica Dubrovnik, Dutch College of General Practitioners, Spiru Haret University, Université de Lille, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Sociedad Española de Medicina de Familia y Comunitaria, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Aragón
Language: English
Subfield: Neurology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,563
OpenAlex ID: W4413892458