Using General Practice Patient Survey data to explore prevalence and patient uncertainty about Long Covid

Background The high global burden of Long Covid (LC) has significant implications for population wellbeing, healthcare, social care and national economies. Aim To explore associations between patient sociodemographic and health characteristics with two outcomes: reporting having LC and expressing uncertainty about having LC, as described by general practice (GP) survey respondents. Design and setting Analysis of GP Patient Survey (England), a random sample of 759,149 patients aged 16yrs+ registered with a GP in England (2023).

Multivariable logistic regression modelling comparing those with and without LC, and those who were unsure in relation to patient characteristics.

4.8% of respondents reported having LC, and 9.1% were unsure. Significant adjusted associations indicating higher risk of LC included age (highest odds 35-54yrs), sex (females), ethnicity (White Gypsy/Irish Traveller, mixed/multiple ethnic groups), sexual orientation (gay/lesbian or bisexual), living in a deprived area, being a carer or a parent and having a long-term condition (LTC). Those aged ≤25yrs, males, non-binary, heterosexual, not parents or carers, from other white, Indian, Bangladeshi, Chinese, Black or Arab backgrounds, former and current smokers, and with no defined LTC were more likely to be unsure about having LC compared to answering ‘yes’.

There is an unequal distribution of LC in England, with the condition being more prevalent in minoritised and disadvantaged groups. There are also high levels of uncertainty about having LC. Improved awareness is needed amongst the general population and healthcare professionals to ensure those most vulnerable in society are identified and provided with care and support. Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. Funding Statement This work forms part of MW's PhD which is funded by a University of Southampton Presidential Scholarship Author Declarations I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained. Yes The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below: Ethics Committee of the University of Southampton Faculty of Medicine gave ethical approval for this work (No.82369) I confirm that all necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived, and that any patient/participant/sample identifiers included were not known to anyone (e.g., hospital staff, patients or participants themselves) outside the research group so cannot be used to identify individuals. Yes I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance). Yes I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines, such as any relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material, if applicable. Yes Data Availability GP Patient Survey data is available at GP practice-level via https://gp-patient.co.uk/analysistool. Requests for GPPS patient-level datasets can be made directly to the survey team whose details can be found here https://gp-patient.co.uk/confidentiality