Cohort profile: EFTER-COVID - a Danish nationwide cohort for assessing the long-term health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic

BMJ Open. 2024 May 6;14(5):e087799. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-087799.

Abstract

Purpose: To follow SARS-CoV-2-infected persons up to 18 months after a positive test in order to assess the burden and nature of post acute symptoms and health problems.

Participants: Persons in Denmark above 15 years of age, who were tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 during 1 September 2020 to 21 February 2023 using a RT-PCR test. As a reference group, three test-negative individuals were selected for every two test-positive individuals by matching on test date.

Findings to date: In total, 2 427 913 invitations to baseline questionnaires have been sent out and 839 528 baseline questionnaires (34.5%) have been completed. Females, the age group 50-69 years, Danish-born and persons, who had received at least one SARS-CoV-2 vaccination booster dose were more likely to participate. Follow-up questionnaires were sent at 2, 4, 6, 9, 12 and 18 months after the test, with response rates at 42%-54%.

Future plans: New participants have been recruited on a daily basis from 1 August 2021 to 23 March 2023. Data collection will continue until the last follow-up questionnaires (at 18 months after test) have been distributed in August 2024.

Keywords: COVID-19; EPIDEMIOLOGY; Epidemiology.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • COVID-19 Vaccines / administration & dosage
  • COVID-19* / epidemiology
  • COVID-19* / prevention & control
  • Cohort Studies
  • Denmark / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pandemics
  • SARS-CoV-2*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • COVID-19 Vaccines