Short- and long-term sequelae of COVID-19 Observations from COVID-19 patient cohorts in Amsterdam

The clinical spectrum of COVID-19 ranged from asymptomatic infections to severe and fatal disease. While symptoms were often non-specific, though the distinctive loss of smell and taste often preceded respiratory symptoms. Though most individuals recovered, many experienced persistent symptoms lasting months or even years, a condition known as long COVID. This thesis examines the short- and long-term effects of COVID-19, characterized in 350 COVID-19 patients from the RECoVERED study, across all disease severities. It focuses on the disease spectrum of long COVID, particularly its pulmonary involvement and potential immunological mechanisms. The results highlight the broad spectrum of long COVID, with many individuals in the RECoVERED study experiencing persistent symptoms, severe fatigue, reduced pulmonary function, and impaired quality of life for months or even years after the infection. Pulmonary involvement was linked to immune dysregulation, suggesting that inflammation and immune activation contribute to long COVID. However, the complexity of its underlying pathophysiology and the lack of consistent definitions pose challenges for future research.