Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42717356›Full record

Observational studyRespiratory research2026

Respiratory symptoms up to 18 months after COVID-19 - a longitudinal observational study.

Carl Hallberg, Alexandra Halvarsson, Annie Svensson, Anna Törnberg, Anna Svensson-Raskh, Monika Fagevik Olsén, Judith Bruchfeld, Michael Runold, Malin Nygren-Bonnier

Abstract readObservational Study
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Observational study in Respiratory research, 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

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

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

9 authors.

Carl HallbergDivision of Physiotherapy, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Nobels Allé 23, Huddinge, 141 83, Sweden. carl.hallberg@ki.se.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0000-0481-0017
Alexandra HalvarssonDivision of Physiotherapy, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Nobels Allé 23, Huddinge, 141 83, Sweden.
Annie SvenssonDivision of Physiotherapy, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Nobels Allé 23, Huddinge, 141 83, Sweden.
Anna TörnbergDivision of Physiotherapy, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Nobels Allé 23, Huddinge, 141 83, Sweden.
Anna Svensson-RaskhDivision of Physiotherapy, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Nobels Allé 23, Huddinge, 141 83, Sweden.
Monika Fagevik OlsénDepartment of Health and Rehabilitation/Physiotherapy, Institute of Neuro‑ science and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Judith BruchfeldDivision of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Solna, Karolinska Institutet and Department of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Michael RunoldDivision of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, Solna, Karolinska Institutet and Department of Respiratory Medicine and Allergy, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Malin Nygren-BonnierDivision of Physiotherapy, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Nobels Allé 23, Huddinge, 141 83, Sweden.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThis study aimed to identify, analyse and compare adults with and without respiratory symptoms over time after COVID-19 and identify predictors of persistent respiratory symptoms, in hospitalised and non-hospitalised patients.

methodsParticipants were recruited at the Post COVID-19 clinic at Karolinska University hospital, Sweden, between May 2020 until December 2022, with longitudinal data collected until February 2025. Data from medical records and two clinical follow-up visits were analysed. Participants were categorised based on presence or absence of self-reported respiratory symptoms. Clinical outcomes included physical function, patient-reported outcomes, lung function and other clinically relevant parameters.

resultsA total of 963 out of 1976 participants were included, of whom 760 (79%) were identified with respiratory symptoms and 203 (21%) were not at first follow-up visit. The respiratory symptom group showed poorer physical function and worse patient-reported outcomes at the first follow-up (adjusted p < 0.05). Lung function was generally preserved, although diffusing lung capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) was lower in the respiratory symptom group (79% vs 84%, adjusted p < 0.05). Both groups improved over time, and the magnitude of change did not differ significantly between groups. However, participants in the respiratory symptom group remained more impaired across several outcomes at follow-up. Presence of respiratory symptoms at the first follow-up visit was the strongest independent predictor of belonging to the respiratory symptom group at second follow-up visit (OR 5.31, 95% CI 2.74-10.89).

conclusionsRespiratory symptoms after acute COVID-19 were highly prevalent and were associated with poorer clinical outcomes, despite similar recovery over time. Further research is needed to better clarify underlying mechanisms and to guide targeted rehabilitation strategies.

Indexed as

COVID-19LungAdultAgedFemaleHumansLongitudinal StudiesMaleMiddle AgedPost-Acute COVID-19 SyndromeRespiratory Function TestsSwedenTime FactorsDyspnoeaLong COVIDLung functionOutcome measuresPhysical therapyRespiratory infection

Identifiers

PMID42717356
PMCPMC13560428

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Registered trials

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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.