Conceptualising Long COVID as an episodic health condition

Abstract

### Summary box Globally growing numbers of individuals are living with persistent signs and symptoms following infection consistent with COVID-19, referred to as Long COVID or Post-COVID Conditions. An estimated 6.2% of the U K population self-identified experiencing Long COVID, which negatively affected their general well-being and ability to exercise and work.1 Long COVID symptoms also adversely affected day-to-day activities among 64.7% of those self-reporting Long COVID, with 19.3% reporting significant limitations to daily activities.2 The long-term trajectory of Long COVID remains unknown. Therefore, conceptualising disability in Long COVID is essential for better understanding the lived experiences and health-related challenges of people living with and affected by Long COVID, to inform effective rehabilitation approaches and interventions to enhance clinical practice, policy and research. Our aim is to conceptualise Long COVID as an episodic health condition resulting in disability that may be characterised as multidimensional, episodic and unpredictable in nature and to highlight future …