Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41272665›Full record

ArticleBMC public health2025

Pre-pandemic lifestyle patterns and mental health outcomes among people reporting post-acute sequelae of COVID-19: evidence from a Slovenian population-based sample.

Gaja Zager Kocjan, Jana Verdnik, Jure Manfreda, Luka Komidar, Žan Lep, Darja Kobal Grum, Kaja Hacin Beyazoglu, Anja Podlesek, Katarina Babnik

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC public health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Gaja Zager KocjanFaculty of Arts, Department of psychology, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia. gaja.zagerkocjan@ff.uni-lj.si.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1934-2831
Jana VerdnikFaculty of Arts, Department of psychology, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Jure ManfredaFaculty of Arts, Department of psychology, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Luka KomidarFaculty of Arts, Department of psychology, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1360-0040
Žan LepFaculty of Arts, Department of psychology, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0130-4543
Darja Kobal GrumFaculty of Arts, Department of psychology, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7868-7808
Kaja Hacin BeyazogluFaculty of Arts, Department of psychology, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5678-1633
Anja PodlesekFaculty of Arts, Department of psychology, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2987-8338
Katarina BabnikFaculty of Arts, Department of psychology, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4925-1110

Funding

Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency J5-4591
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe long-term consequences of COVID-19, or post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), represent a major public health concern. Beyond persistent physical symptoms, PASC profoundly affects mental health and daily functioning. Despite growing international evidence, little is known about how pre-pandemic lifestyle patterns shape vulnerability to PASC and how its psychological burden extends beyond distress to deficits in well-being. While national settings may shape prevalence estimates and symptom reporting, this study focuses on group differences within a single country-Slovenia, characterized by universal healthcare, high physical activity, strict containment measures, and low institutional trust.

methodsData were drawn from a representative sample of working-age Slovenian adults (N = 3,048), surveyed in early 2023. Participants reported infection history, symptom persistence, pre-pandemic lifestyle patterns, and mental health outcomes. PASC was defined following WHO criteria, with an added requirement of functional impairment. Analyses employed chi-squared tests for categorical variables and ANOVAs for differences across ill-being and well-being indicators.

resultsNearly one-third of infected individuals (29.5%) met PASC criteria. Fatigue, decreased physical performance, and cognitive difficulties were the most prevalent and persistent symptoms, often lasting close to a year. PASC was more common among women, younger adults, those facing financial hardship, and individuals with higher education. Lifestyle patterns showed mixed associations: BMI was unrelated, smoking displayed a paradoxically lower risk, while physical activity reduced infection risk but was modestly linked to greater PASC likelihood post-infection. Crucially, PASC was associated with significantly elevated stress, anxiety, and depression, alongside reduced well-being across all domains.

conclusionsThese findings highlight the enduring burden of PASC and its dual impact on distress and well-being, underscoring the need for integrated, system-level planning that links primary care, rehabilitation, and mental health services to mitigate long-term consequences and support recovery.

Indexed as

COVID-19Life StyleMental HealthAdultExerciseFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedPost-Acute COVID-19 SyndromeSloveniaYoung AdultLifestyle patternsMental health outcomesPost-Acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC)Slovenian national study

Identifiers

PMID41272665
PMCPMC12639690

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.