Pre-existing allergic diseases as risk factors for long-term Long-COVID
symptoms: a systematic review of prospective cohort studies
Abstract
Background: The role of allergy as risk factor for Long-COVID (LC) is
unclear. We aimed to systematically review and appraise the
epidemiological evidence on allergic diseases as risk factors for LC
(PROSPERO: CRD42023391245). Methods: We examined literature for
prospective cohort studies with a follow-up duration of 12 months for LC
symptoms, published within the timeframe from January 2020 and January
2023 that recruited individuals with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and
information on pre-existing allergic diseases. Risk of bias and
certainty of evidence were assessed (GRADE). Random effects
meta-analyses were used to pool unadjusted ORs within homogeneous data
subsets. Results: We identified 13 studies (participants range = 39 -
1,950), all of which were associated with high risk of bias. Four of
these studies did not provide data to calculate ORs. Significant
associations were observed between increased LC incidences and
pre-existing asthma measured in hospital-based populations ( n =
6) and pre-existing rhinitis ( n = 3) ( OR = 1.94; 95% CI
[1.08, 3.50]; OR = 1.96; 95% CI [1.61, 2.39]),
respectively. However, the level of certainty regarding these exposure
outcome associations was very low. Conclusion: Findings show that
allergies may increase the risk of LC, although the reliability of this
evidence is tenuous.