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Post-covid medical complaints following infection with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron vs Delta variants

Author

Listed:
  • Karin Magnusson

    (Norwegian Institute of Public Health
    Lund University)

  • Doris Tove Kristoffersen

    (Norwegian Institute of Public Health)

  • Andrea Dell’Isola

    (Lund University)

  • Ali Kiadaliri

    (Lund University
    Lund University)

  • Aleksandra Turkiewicz

    (Lund University)

  • Jos Runhaar

    (Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam)

  • Sita Bierma-Zeinstra

    (Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam
    Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam)

  • Martin Englund

    (Lund University)

  • Per Minor Magnus

    (Norwegian Institute of Public Health)

  • Jonas Minet Kinge

    (Norwegian Institute of Public Health
    University of Oslo)

Abstract

The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant has been associated with less severe acute disease, however, concerns remain as to whether long-term complaints persist to a similar extent as for earlier variants. Studying 1 323 145 persons aged 18-70 years living in Norway with and without SARS-CoV-2 infection in a prospective cohort study, we found that individuals infected with Omicron had a similar risk of post-covid complaints (fatigue, cough, heart palpitations, shortness of breath and anxiety/depression) as individuals infected with Delta (B.1.617.2), from 14 to up to 126 days after testing positive, both in the acute (14 to 29 days), sub-acute (30 to 89 days) and chronic post-covid (≥90 days) phases. However, at ≥90 days after testing positive, individuals infected with Omicron had a lower risk of having any complaint (43 (95%CI = 14 to 72) fewer per 10,000), as well as a lower risk of musculoskeletal pain (23 (95%CI = 2-43) fewer per 10,000) than individuals infected with Delta. Our findings suggest that the acute and sub-acute burden of post-covid complaints on health services is similar for Omicron and Delta. The chronic burden may be lower for Omicron vs Delta when considering musculoskeletal pain, but not when considering other typical post-covid complaints.

Suggested Citation

  • Karin Magnusson & Doris Tove Kristoffersen & Andrea Dell’Isola & Ali Kiadaliri & Aleksandra Turkiewicz & Jos Runhaar & Sita Bierma-Zeinstra & Martin Englund & Per Minor Magnus & Jonas Minet Kinge, 2022. "Post-covid medical complaints following infection with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron vs Delta variants," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-35240-2
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35240-2
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    Cited by:

    1. Claire E. Hastie & David J. Lowe & Andrew McAuley & Nicholas L. Mills & Andrew J. Winter & Corri Black & Janet T. Scott & Catherine A. O’Donnell & David N. Blane & Susan Browne & Tracy R. Ibbotson & J, 2023. "True prevalence of long-COVID in a nationwide, population cohort study," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-6, December.
    2. Kristin Kostka & Elena Roel & Nhung T. H. Trinh & Núria Mercadé-Besora & Antonella Delmestri & Lourdes Mateu & Roger Paredes & Talita Duarte-Salles & Daniel Prieto-Alhambra & Martí Català & Annika M. , 2023. "The burden of post-acute COVID-19 symptoms in a multinational network cohort analysis," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-10, December.
    3. B-A. Reme & J. Gjesvik & K. Magnusson, 2023. "Predictors of the post-COVID condition following mild SARS-CoV-2 infection," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-9, December.
    4. Debbie E. Malden & In-Lu Amy Liu & Lei Qian & Lina S. Sy & Bruno J. Lewin & Dawn T. Asamura & Denison S. Ryan & Cassandra Bezi & Joshua T. B. Williams & Robyn Kaiser & Matthew F. Daley & Jennifer C. N, 2024. "Post-COVID conditions following COVID-19 vaccination: a retrospective matched cohort study of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-10, December.

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