Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41645148›Full record

Observational studyBMC public health2026

The association between Post-COVID syndrome and self-stigma among the adult Israeli population during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tom Polovin, Natalya Bilenko, Dvora Frankenthal, Michal Bromberg, Lital Keinan-Boker, Nadav Davidovitch

Abstract readObservational Study
In one paragraph

Observational study in BMC public health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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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

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

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

6 authors.

Tom PolovinFaculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel. tompol@post.bgu.ac.il.
Natalya BilenkoEpidemiology, Biostatistics, and Community Health science, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
Dvora FrankenthalIsrael Center for Disease Control, Israel Ministry of Health, Tel-Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel.
Michal BrombergIsrael Center for Disease Control, Israel Ministry of Health, Tel-Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel.
Lital Keinan-BokerIsrael Center for Disease Control, Israel Ministry of Health, Tel-Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel.
Nadav DavidovitchAzrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundIn the wake of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, a novel condition, termed Post-COVID Syndrome (PCS) has emerged, impacting a significant portion of the global population. Concurrently, the global impact of the virus has extended beyond physical health, leading to the emergence of COVID-19 related stigma. This study investigates the link between PCS and self-stigma, shedding light on this underexplored phenomenon.

objectiveTo examine whether exposure to PCS is associated with higher levels of COVID-19–related self-stigma and to identify potential risk factors.

methodsA retrospective observational cohort study among adult Israeli citizens who tested positive for COVID-19 in a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test at least twelve weeks before the interview, serving as a pivotal criterion for diagnosing PCS based on self-reported symptoms. The study sample was drawn from the Israeli Ministry of Health’s comprehensive COVID-19 database and data were obtained via a computerized telephone questionnaire conducted from June through December 2021. The quantification of self-stigma entailed the utilization of the COVID-19 self-stigma scale. The study examined the adjusted association between exposure to PCS and self-stigma, controlling for socio-economic characteristics.

resultsSeven hundred fifty-nine participants (48.7% male) responded, with a mean age of 47.2 years (SD = 14.9). A quarter (25.2%) of the study population met the criteria for PCS, and 28.1% met the criteria for self-stigma. A significant association was found between PCS and self-stigma, with individuals experiencing PCS reporting higher self-stigma (p < 0.001). Multivariable linear and logistic regression analyses confirmed that PCS was significantly associated with self-stigma modeled as both a continuous and a dichotomous outcome (R2 = 0.09, p < 0.001; OR = 2.5, p < 0.001, respectively).

conclusionThis study underscores a significant association between PCS and self-stigma, independently of sociodemographic factors. Given this association, it is imperative to develop comprehensive strategies aimed at stigma reduction among PCS patients. These findings have importance beyond COVID-19, providing lessons for future pandemics and emergencies.

Indexed as

COVID-19Self ConceptSocial StigmaAdultFemaleHumansIsraelMaleMiddle AgedPandemicsPost-Acute COVID-19 SyndromeRetrospective StudiesRisk FactorsEthnic disparitiesHealth inequitiesInternalized stigmaLong COVIDPost-COVID syndromePsychosocial outcomesSelf-stigma

Identifiers

PMID41645148
PMCPMC12973779

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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.