1.D. Workshop: Long COVID: A Myth or a reality?

Abstract

Abstract COVID-19 has been a pandemic since 2020 and to date has resulted in a substantial global burden through both morbidity and mortality. Long term symptoms impacting the mental, social, and physical well-being among COVID-19 survivors started to be noted from early pandemic. This phenomenon was reported as Long COVID, and the World Health Organization (WHO) has now defined it as “a condition that occurs in those with probable or confirmed COVID-19 infection where symptoms last for at least two months from the onset of the infection”. Yet, the paucity of longitudinal cohort studies and clinical trials on Long COVID presents the scientific, clinical, and public health ecosystems with limited understanding pertaining to this new condition as well as presents uncertainty on whether “Long COVID is a myth or a reality?” Additionally, on a country level, the level of preparedness to deal with Long COVID at a population level and through healthcare services are not established. With over 60% of Europeans reported to suffer from Long COVID, this timely workshop is set to bring forward a pan-European expert consensus on the existence and the deterrent effects attributed to Long COVID, with recommendations for the way forward. The workshop will start off by presenting the overall impact of COVID on the well-being of middle-aged and older adults residing in 27 European countries as well as explores whether having Long COVID further deteriorate their well-being. The symptoms of Long COVID will be explored along with their effect on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL), fatigue, mental well-being, while investigating the determinants that diminish HRQoL. This will provide an all-rounded approach to the direct effects of Long COVID. It is known that Long COVID individuals will seek their first medical care contact at primary healthcare. Therefore, the workshop will explore the general practitioner's knowledge, perceptions, and experience on Long COVID's diagnosis and management across two European countries. This will provide an insight whether primary healthcare practitioners are equipped with dealing with this emerging syndrome. The workshop then focuses on Italy's perspective, at a country level, in managing Long COVID through Good Clinical Practice and access to national services. Finally, a European overview of the Long-COVID-19 situation from a population health perspective will be provided and it will offer unique insights on the development of different tools, strategies and structures in national healthcare systems and their fight against long-COVID. Key messages • Long COVID is causing deterrent effects and impact the physical, mental, social and economic status of the populations. • We need better tools (e.g., registries or targeted Health Examination Surveys) to assess the situation and to customise health care provision for the current patients and avoid the further spread.