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Publications

Journal Article Epublish

PubMed: 40711062 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed10070185

The Factors Influencing the Incidence, Persistence, and Severity of Symptoms After SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Chinese Adults: A Case-Control Study.

Trop Med Infect Dis 10(7)

Authors: Weixiao Wang, Runjie Qi, Siyue Jia, Zhihang Peng, Hongxing Pan, Ming Xu, Yuanbao Liu, Xiaoqiang Liu, Qing Wang, Li Zhang, Jihai Tang, Hao Yang, Pengfei Jin, Simin Li, Jingxin Li

Affiliations

  • National Vaccine Innovation Platform and Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210009, China.
  • NHC Key Laboratory of Enteric Pathogenic Microbiology, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 172 Jiangsu Rd. Nanjing 210009, China.
  • China Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China.
  • Yunnan Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Kunming 650022, China.
  • Chongqing Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chongqing 402100, China.
  • Shandong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jinan 250014, China.
  • Anhui Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hefei 230601, China.
  • Hunan Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Changsha 410153, China.
  • School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China.

Abstract

Following the emergence of COVID-19, breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infections have demonstrated substantial heterogeneity in both occurrence and clinical severity. This case-control study aimed to elucidate the factors associated with the incidence, duration, and severity of SARS-CoV-2 symptoms among Chinese adults during the Omicron wave. The analysis was based on data from a national COVID-19 surveillance program encompassing six provinces-Jiangsu, Chongqing, Shandong, Hunan, Anhui, and Yunnan-and included both laboratory-confirmed and clinically diagnosed cases. Data were systematically collected between February and April 2023. For each confirmed case, a matched control was selected through simple random sampling, matched on sex, age (±5 years), and province of residence. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed to assess a range of potential determinants, including demographic characteristics, lifestyle behaviors, and pre-existing medical conditions, in relation to the risk of infection, as well as the persistence and severity of symptoms following SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infection. A total of 10,426 cases and 10,426 matched controls were included in the final analysis. Among the infected individuals, 963 (9.24%) reported persistent symptoms, while 773 (7.41%) experienced moderate-to-severe clinical manifestations. Occasional alcohol consumption, presence of comorbidities, tea and coffee intake, overweight status, and a longer interval since the last vaccination dose were all significantly associated with increased odds of infection (OR > 1, FDR < 0.05). Conversely, weekly alcohol consumption and smoking were associated with a decreased risk (OR < 1, FDR < 0.05). Female sex was significantly associated with both persistent and moderate-to-severe symptoms. Additional risk factors for prolonged or severe symptoms included older age, being underweight or overweight, a history of immunotherapy, coffee consumption, and the presence of comorbidities. These findings underscore the multifactorial nature of SARS-CoV-2 infection outcomes and highlight the interplay between host characteristics and behavioral factors. The results support the development of personalized prevention strategies aimed at reducing the clinical burden and long-term impact of COVID-19.

MeSH

Comorbidity, Sars-Cov-2, Incidence, Case-Control Studies, Coffee, Signs And Symptoms, Covid-19, Sex, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Related Coronavirus, Overweight, Alcohol Drinking, Infections