Prevalence and Trends of Post–COVID-19 Sequelae Among U.S. Adults With Prior COVID-19 Infection, 2022–2024
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) affect a substantial proportion of U.S. adults, involving multiple organ systems and resulting in significant disability and diminished quality of life. Population-level PASC estimates include individuals without prior COVID-19 infection and therefore do not accurately reflect postinfection risk required for effective risk stratification. We estimated the prevalence and trends of PASC among U.S. adults with prior COVID-19. METHODS: We analyzed data from the National Health Interview Survey (2022-2024), a nationally representative survey of the U.S. civilian noninstitutionalized population. Adults reporting prior COVID-19 infection were asked whether they ever experienced symptoms lasting ≥3 months that were not present before infection; those answering yes were classified as having PASC. Weighted analyses accounted for the complex survey design. RESULTS: Among 42,872 adults with prior COVID-19, 6,822 reported symptoms lasting three months or longer, indicating PASC. Prevalence declined from 19.7% in 2022 to 15.1% in 2023 and 13.7% in 2024 (P<0.001 for 2022 vs subsequent years). Despite this decline, more than 21 million U.S. adults reported having experienced PASC in 2023 and 2024. Prevalence was higher among women and adults aged 35-64 years than among men and younger or elderly individuals. A lower prevalence was observed among Asian adults, whereas a higher prevalence was noted among American Indian, Alaska Native, and multiracial adults. CONCLUSIONS: Despite declining prevalence, PASC remains common among U.S. adults with prior COVID-19. These nationally representative postinfection estimates provide clinically relevant risk information to guide patient counseling, health system planning, and ongoing surveillance.
Source: Cureus
Authors: Ashish Bhargava, Susan Szpunar
Institution: Henry Ford Hospital
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Neurology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7214087530