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Frallonardo L, Segala FV, Chhaganlal KD, Yelshazly M, Novara R, Cotugno S, Guido G, Papagni R, Colpani A, De Vito A, Barbagallo M, Madeddu G, Babudieri S, Lochoro P, Ictho J, Putoto G, Veronese N, Saracino A, Di Gennaro F. Incidence and burden of long COVID in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sci Rep 2023; 13:21482. [PMID: 38057338 PMCID: PMC10700349 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-48258-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Long COVID, also known as "post-acute sequelae of COVID-19," affects at least 65 million individuals worldwide with a wide spectrum of symptoms that may last weeks, months, or permanently. Its epidemiology and burden in Africa are unclear. This meta-analysis examines long-term COVID-19 effects in the WHO African Region. A systematic search in several databases was carried out up to 12 February 2023 including observational studies from African countries reporting the cumulative incidence of long COVID signs and symptoms. Only studies conducted in African countries were included. Several sensitivity and meta-regression analyses were performed. Among 1547 papers initially screened, 25 were included, consisting of 29,213 participants. The incidence of any long COVID symptomatology was 48.6% (95% CI 37.4-59.8) as psychiatric conditions were the most frequent, particularly post-traumatic stress disorder reaching a cumulative incidence of 25% (95% CI 21.1-30.4). Higher age (p = 0.027) and hospitalization (p = 0.05) were associated with a higher frequency of long COVID. Long COVID poses a significant burden in Africa, particularly concerning psychiatric conditions. The study recommends identifying at-risk people and defining treatment strategies and recommendations for African long-COVID patients. High-quality studies addressing this condition in African setting are urgently needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Frallonardo
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePRe-J), University of Bari "Aldo Moro", 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Francesco Vladimiro Segala
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePRe-J), University of Bari "Aldo Moro", 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Kajal D Chhaganlal
- Department of Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidade Catolica de Mocambique, Beira, Mozambique
| | - Mohmaoud Yelshazly
- Department of Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidade Catolica de Mocambique, Beira, Mozambique
| | - Roberta Novara
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePRe-J), University of Bari "Aldo Moro", 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Sergio Cotugno
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePRe-J), University of Bari "Aldo Moro", 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Giacomo Guido
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePRe-J), University of Bari "Aldo Moro", 70124, Bari, Italy.
| | - Roberta Papagni
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePRe-J), University of Bari "Aldo Moro", 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Agnese Colpani
- Unit of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Andrea De Vito
- Unit of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Mario Barbagallo
- Geriatrics Section, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giordano Madeddu
- Unit of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Sergio Babudieri
- Unit of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | | | | | - Giovanni Putoto
- Operational Research Unit, Doctors with Africa CUAMM, Padua, Italy
| | - Nicola Veronese
- Geriatrics Section, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Annalisa Saracino
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePRe-J), University of Bari "Aldo Moro", 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Francesco Di Gennaro
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePRe-J), University of Bari "Aldo Moro", 70124, Bari, Italy
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