Lupus & antiphospholipid syndrome
Long COVID in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: A case-control study
Main finding · Incidence of long COVIDResult — go to the resultOdds ratio 2.27 CI 1.53–3.35Authors' conclusion
Long COVID is more common in SLE patients than matched controls after a SARS-CoV2 infection. The development of long COVID symptoms in SLE is largely unpredictable.
Study context
- Population
- Consecutive adults with SLE and SARS-CoV2 infection (positive RAT or PCR), July to November 2023, and matched healthy controls97.6% women
- Participants
- 211 vs 211
- Comparison
- SLE vs healthy controls after SARS-CoV2 infection
- SLEn = 211
- Healthy controlsn = 211reference
- Outcome
- Incidence of long COVID (WHO definition)
Methodological detailsmatched for gender and age
- Matched for gender and age
Main finding
Incidence of long COVID
Odds ratio
2.27
CI 1.53–3.35
By group
SLEvs Healthy controls
OR 2.27 (CI 1.53–3.35)
As reported in the abstract
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | OR (CI) | |
|---|---|---|
| Long COVID symptoms, SLE vs controlsSLEvs Healthy controlsWorsening of memory | 2.77 (1.78–4.31) | |
| Long COVID symptoms, SLE vs controlsSLEvs Healthy controlsChest pain | 4.18 (1.16–15.0) | |
| Long COVID symptoms, SLE vs controlsSLEvs Healthy controlsPalpitation | 3.43 (1.58–7.47) | |
| Long COVID symptoms, SLE vs controlsSLEvs Healthy controlsArthralgia | 2.67 (1.29–5.53) | |
| 0.050.21520Odds ratio (log scale) |
Most common long COVID symptoms, all patients
- Fatigue
- 30.1%
- Worsening of memory
- 29.1%
- Difficulty to concentrate
- 26.3%
- Cough
- 23.2%
- Insomnia
- 18.9%
Risk factors for long COVID in SLE
- No clinical and serological factors significantly associated except ever use of HCQ, OR
- 2.03 [1.04-3.96]
Original publication
Long COVID in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: A case-control study. Lupus. Published 14 March 2025. doi:10.
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