New Delhi, Nov 10: People with pre-existing allergic conditions are more vulnerable to experience long-term symptoms associated with Covid-19, or long Covid, according to a study.Although the data as a whole from the studies suggested that individuals with asthma or rhinitis might be at increased risk of long Covid after SARS-CoV-2 infection, the evidence for these associations was very uncertain.
Therefore, more robust epidemiological research is needed to clarify the role of allergy in the development of long Covid, said researchers.
The new findings, published in Clinical & Experimental Allergy, were based an analysis of 13 studies, published between January 1, 2020 and January 19, 2023.
The analysis included a total of 9,967 participants of all ages with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection who were followed for at least 12 months.
Four of the 13 studies provided estimates on the association between pre-existing allergic conditions such as asthma or hay fever and long Covid.
Pre-existing asthma was associated with an increased risk of long Covid, but the evidence was very uncertain, the authors said.
The odds ratio (OR) for preexisting asthma and long Covid was 1.94.