A core outcome set for post-COVID-19 condition in adults for use in clinical practice and research: an international Delphi consensus study

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Daniel Munblit - , Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Imperial College London (Author)
  • Timothy Nicholson - , King's College London (KCL) (Author)
  • Athena Akrami - , Sainsbury Wellcome Centre (SWC), Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg (Author)
  • Christian Apfelbacher - , Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg (Author)
  • Jessica Chen - , Imperial College London (Author)
  • Wouter De Groote - , World Health Organization (Author)
  • Janet V Diaz - , World Health Organization (Author)
  • Sarah L Gorst - , University of Liverpool (UOL) (Author)
  • Nicola Harman - , University of Liverpool (UOL) (Author)
  • Alisa Kokorina - , Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University (Author)
  • Piero Olliaro - , University of Oxford (Author)
  • Callum Parr - , Imperial College London (Author)
  • Jacobus Preller - , World Health Organization (Author)
  • Nicoline Schiess - , World Health Organization (Author)
  • Jochen Schmitt - , Center for Evidence-Based Healthcare (Author)
  • Nina Seylanova - , P.P. Shirshov Institute of Oceanology of Academy of Sciences of Russia Moscow (Author)
  • Frances Simpson - , Coventry University (Author)
  • Allison Tong - , University of Sydney (Author)
  • Dale M Needham - , Johns Hopkins Medicine (Author)
  • Paula R Williamson - , University of Liverpool (UOL) (Author)

Abstract

Health consequences that persist beyond the acute infection phase of COVID-19, termed post-COVID-19 condition (also commonly known as long COVID), vary widely and represent a growing global health challenge. Research on post-COVID-19 condition is expanding but, at present, no agreement exists on the health outcomes that should be measured in people living with the condition. To address this gap, we conducted an international consensus study, which included a comprehensive literature review and classification of outcomes for post-COVID-19 condition that informed a two-round online modified Delphi process followed by an online consensus meeting to finalise the core outcome set (COS). 1535 participants from 71 countries were involved, with 1148 individuals participating in both Delphi rounds. Eleven outcomes achieved consensus for inclusion in the final COS: fatigue; pain; post-exertion symptoms; work or occupational and study changes; survival; and functioning, symptoms, and conditions for each of cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous system, cognitive, mental health, and physical outcomes. Recovery was included a priori because it was a relevant outcome that was part of a previously published COS on COVID-19. The next step in this COS development exercise will be to establish the instruments that are most appropriate to measure these core outcomes. This international consensus-based COS should provide a framework for standardised assessment of adults with post-COVID-19 condition, aimed at facilitating clinical care and research worldwide.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)715-724
Number of pages10
JournalThe Lancet. Respiratory medicine
Volume10
Issue number7
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2022
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMedCentral PMC9197249
Scopus 85132508166

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals

Keywords

  • Adult, COVID-19/complications, Delphi Technique, Humans, Outcome Assessment, Health Care, Research Design, Treatment Outcome, Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome

Library keywords