This study investigates the persistence of COVID-19 symptoms in community-dwelling older adults (50+) using data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA). It examines the relationship between pre-pandemic factors (age, sex, physical/psychological/social health, and functional abilities) and the severity and duration of 23 COVID-19 symptoms. The most common symptoms were fatigue, cough, muscle/joint pain, sore throat, headache, and runny nose. Individuals with COVID-19 reported a significantly higher incidence of moderate/severe symptoms compared to those without. Symptom persistence beyond one month was higher in females and those with multiple pre-existing conditions, while higher subjective social status was associated with decreased persistence beyond three months.

Lauren E. Griffith, Marla Beauchamp, Jacqueline McMillan, Sayem Borhan, Urun Erbas Oz, Christina Wolfson, Susan Kirkland, Nicole E. Basta, Mary Thompson, Parminder Raina