SynthesisFrontiers in public health2026
Global prevalence of post-COVID-19 condition (Long COVID): a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.
Synthesis in Frontiers in public health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
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Authors and funding
3 authors.
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No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Background: Long COVID is an umbrella term for persistent, relapsing, or newly developed health problems after SARS-CoV-2 infection, whereas post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) refers more specifically to the World Health Organization clinical case definition. Reported prevalence varies substantially because of differences in terminology, operational definitions, study populations, follow-up duration, hospitalization status, and symptom ascertainment. This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesized global observational evidence on Long COVID/PCC prevalence and examined major sources of variability. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted according to PRISMA 2020 principles. PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and the WHO COVID-19 Global Literature Database were searched for studies published from 1 January 2020 to 23 February 2026. Observational studies were eligible if they included individuals with confirmed or probable SARS-CoV-2 infection, reported Long COVID/PCC or persistent post-COVID symptoms at least 4 weeks after acute infection, and provided numerator and denominator data. Terminology and operational case definitions were extracted separately. Prevalence estimates were pooled using a random-effects model with logit transformation and back-transformation. Heterogeneity was assessed using Cochran's Q, I Results: Twenty-two studies contributing 27 prevalence estimates and more than 200,000 participants were included. The primary estimate-level pooled prevalence was 30.8% (95% CI 26.8-35.0). Heterogeneity was extreme: Q = 8031.9, df = 26, Conclusion: Long COVID/PCC represents a substantial post-acute public health burden. However, because heterogeneity was extreme, the pooled prevalence should be interpreted as a descriptive summary of heterogeneous observational evidence rather than as a single precise global rate. Standardized definitions, harmonized surveillance, transparent reporting, rehabilitation pathways, and multidisciplinary care models are needed.
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