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Systematic review of post-COVID condition in Nordic population-based registry studies

Author

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  • Jan Peter William Himmels

    (Norwegian Institute of Public Health)

  • Karin Magnusson

    (Norwegian Institute of Public Health
    Clinical Epidemiology Unit)

  • Kjetil Gundro Brurberg

    (Norwegian Institute of Public Health
    Oslo Metropolitan University, Faculty of Health Sciences)

Abstract

The long-term effects of COVID-19, known as post-COVID condition (PCC), are still not fully understood. This systematic review synthesizes findings from Nordic registry studies to highlight long-term outcomes after COVID-19 infection. Twenty-two studies, primarily reflecting the pre-omicron and early vaccination phases, reveal increased primary care use for respiratory issues and fatigue in the sub-acute and chronic phases, with PCC incidence estimated below 2% in the general population. Most individuals returned to work within three months post-infection, and the risk of new neurological or mental disorders did not exceed that in patients with other infections. The review demonstrates the value of high-quality Nordic health registries in capturing reliable, population-wide data, though generalizability may be limited to similar healthcare systems. Findings suggest the need for targeted follow-up in patients with severe COVID-19, particularly those requiring intensive care, to manage potential new-onset diseases and guide resource allocation in the pandemic’s endemic phase.

Suggested Citation

  • Jan Peter William Himmels & Karin Magnusson & Kjetil Gundro Brurberg, 2025. "Systematic review of post-COVID condition in Nordic population-based registry studies," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-60784-4
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-60784-4
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