TY - JOUR
T1 - Towards consensus
T2 - The need for standardised definitions in Long (post) COVID care in 34 European countries
AU - Gomez-Bravo, Raquel
AU - Leon-Herrera, Sandra
AU - Guisado-Clavero, Marina
AU - Gefaell, Ileana
AU - Wostmann, Xenia
AU - Wossner, Nathalie
AU - Vinker, Shlomo
AU - Vassallo La Ferla, Francesca
AU - Kirkoc Ucuncu, Erva
AU - Tsigarovski, Georgi
AU - Torzsa, Peter
AU - Suija, Kadri
AU - Stepanovic, Aleksander
AU - Sentker, Theresa
AU - Segernas, Anna
AU - Seifert, Bohumil
AU - Sanchez-Castro, Marta
AU - Schneider, Jochen G.
AU - Repovska, Anna
AU - Petrazzuoli, Ferdinando
AU - Petek, Davorina
AU - Perjes, Abel
AU - Parodi Lopez, Naldy
AU - Neves, Ana Luisa
AU - Nessler, Katarzyna
AU - Muris, Jean
AU - Mortsiefer, Achim
AU - Moreels, Sarah
AU - Meister, Tatjana
AU - Mantyselka, Pekka
AU - Murauskiene, Liubove
AU - Lingner, Heidrun
AU - Krzton-Krolewiecka, Anna
AU - Kostic, Milena
AU - Cimen Korkmaz, Busra
AU - Knezevic, Snezana
AU - Kazakos, Stylianos
AU - Karathanos, Vasilis
AU - Shushman, Ivanna
AU - Ilkov, Oksana
AU - Hoffmann, Kathryn
AU - Heleno, Bruno
AU - Hanzevacki, Miroslav
AU - Gjorgjievski, Dragan
AU - Frese, Thomas
AU - Fournier, Marta
AU - Fitzgerald, Louise
AU - Feldmane, Sabine
AU - Dotsenko, Marina
AU - Domeyer, Philip-Richard
AU - Et al.
PY - 2025/12/31
Y1 - 2025/12/31
N2 - BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted global healthcare systems, leading to challenges in managing Long COVID. Variations in definitions and diagnostic criteria across Europe hinder recognition and treatment efforts. This study aims to analyse and compare the definitions of Long COVID used in 34 European countries.MethodsA retrospective descriptive study was conducted involving key informants from 34 European countries, utilising an online questionnaire to gather data on Long COVID definitions. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were employed to assess the variability of definitions and challenges in managing Long COVID.ResultsThe study found significant variation in Long COVID definitions among the participating countries; the most frequent definition was the other definition (n: 17, 50.0%), followed by the World Health Organisation's definition (n: 16, 47.0%) and the CDC definition (n: 11, 32.3%). Half of the countries reported using multiple definitions simultaneously, indicating a lack of standardisation. Qualitative analyses highlighted challenges such as difficulties in standardising terminology, variability in clinical criteria, and issues with implementing diagnostic codes.ConclusionThe findings underscore the need for a unified, yet adaptable, definition of Long COVID. Such a definition would support general practitioners (GPs) by simplifying diagnostic processes, improving continuity of care, and facilitating equitable patient access to multidisciplinary resources. The current lack of consensus complicates patient care, data collection, and resource allocation, impacting health policy development. Future efforts should focus on achieving agreement on definitions to ensure equitable treatment and effective healthcare responses to Long COVID.
AB - BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted global healthcare systems, leading to challenges in managing Long COVID. Variations in definitions and diagnostic criteria across Europe hinder recognition and treatment efforts. This study aims to analyse and compare the definitions of Long COVID used in 34 European countries.MethodsA retrospective descriptive study was conducted involving key informants from 34 European countries, utilising an online questionnaire to gather data on Long COVID definitions. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were employed to assess the variability of definitions and challenges in managing Long COVID.ResultsThe study found significant variation in Long COVID definitions among the participating countries; the most frequent definition was the other definition (n: 17, 50.0%), followed by the World Health Organisation's definition (n: 16, 47.0%) and the CDC definition (n: 11, 32.3%). Half of the countries reported using multiple definitions simultaneously, indicating a lack of standardisation. Qualitative analyses highlighted challenges such as difficulties in standardising terminology, variability in clinical criteria, and issues with implementing diagnostic codes.ConclusionThe findings underscore the need for a unified, yet adaptable, definition of Long COVID. Such a definition would support general practitioners (GPs) by simplifying diagnostic processes, improving continuity of care, and facilitating equitable patient access to multidisciplinary resources. The current lack of consensus complicates patient care, data collection, and resource allocation, impacting health policy development. Future efforts should focus on achieving agreement on definitions to ensure equitable treatment and effective healthcare responses to Long COVID.
KW - Primary health care
KW - COVID-19
KW - post-acute COVID-19 syndrome
KW - diagnosis
KW - clinical coding
KW - Europe
U2 - 10.1080/13814788.2025.2535618
DO - 10.1080/13814788.2025.2535618
M3 - Article
SN - 1381-4788
VL - 31
JO - European Journal of General Practice
JF - European Journal of General Practice
IS - 1
M1 - 2535618
ER -