People with HIV Face Higher Risk of Long COVID, Study Finds

Individuals living with HIV (PWH) are at significantly increased risk of developing long COVID compared to those without HIV, according to a recent study published in the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. The research, conducted by a team at the University of South Carolina Arnold School of Public Health, highlights the need for sustained follow-up care for COVID-19 survivors with HIV to mitigate the long-term effects of the virus.

Long COVID Risk Elevated in People with HIV

Researchers analyzed electronic health records of 838,520 adults diagnosed with COVID-19 between March 2020 and January 2022 in South Carolina. Of these, 2,662 individuals (0.3%) had HIV. The study defined long COVID as symptoms persisting for 30 to 180 days after initial infection across 13 different organ-system categories.

16.3% of PWH received a long COVID diagnosis, compared to 10.6% of people without HIV (PWoH). This translates to a 29% higher risk of developing any long COVID condition for those living with HIV.

Specific Organ Systems Affected

The study identified specific areas where the risk of long COVID was particularly elevated in PWH. Compared to PWoH, individuals with HIV experienced a significantly higher risk of:

• Diseases of the nervous system: A 2.04 times higher risk (95% Confidence Interval: 1.42-2.92).
• Mental disorders: A 1.78 times higher risk (95% Confidence Interval: 1.12-2.82).
• Respiratory system issues: A 1.78 times higher risk (95% Confidence Interval: 1.18-2.69).

Study Methodology

The researchers utilized integrated statewide electronic health record data from both an HIV cohort and a COVID-19 tester cohort. To account for potential differences between the groups, they employed inverse probability weighting based on propensity scores, balancing factors such as age, sex, race, and vaccination status. Cox Proportional Hazard regression models were then used to estimate the risk of each diagnosis group.

Implications for Patient Care

The findings underscore the importance of ongoing monitoring and support for individuals with HIV who have recovered from COVID-19. “Our study highlights the consistent and elevated long COVID burden in PWH, emphasizing the importance of sustained follow-up for COVID-19 survivors to improve their clinical outcomes and prevent morbidity of long COVID,” the study authors concluded. [Source: PubMed]

Ongoing Research at the University of South Carolina

The Arnold School of Public Health at the University of South Carolina is actively involved in research related to HIV and COVID-19, including studies on the impact of the pandemic on HIV prevention and treatment efforts. [Source: University of South Carolina] Researchers are also examining patient experiences with telehealth for HIV care, particularly during the pandemic. [Source: Scholar Commons]

Further research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms driving the increased risk of long COVID in PWH and to develop targeted interventions to address this growing health concern.