Two‐year trajectories of COVID‐19 symptoms and their association with illness perception: A prospective cohort study in Amsterdam, the Netherlands

BACKGROUND: We used data from a prospective cohort to explore 2‐year trajectories of ‘long COVID’ (persistent symptoms after SARS‐CoV‐2 infection) and their association with illness perception. METHODS: RECoVERED participants (adults; prospectively enrolled following laboratory‐confirmed SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, May 2020–June 2021) completed symptom questionnaires at months 2–12, 18 and 24, and the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (B‐IPQ) at months 1, 6 and 12. Using group‐based trajectory models (GBTM), we modelled symptoms (mean total numbers and proportion with four specific complaints), including age, sex, BMI and timing of infection as covariates. In a multivariable linear mixed‐effects model, we assessed the association between symptom trajectories and repeated B‐IPQ scores. RESULTS: Among 292 participants (42% female; median age 51 [IQR = 36–62]), four trajectories were identified, ranging from Trajectory 4 (8.9%; 6 + symptoms) to Trajectory 1 (24.8%; no symptoms). The occurrence of fatigue and myalgia increased among 23% and 12% of participants, respectively. Individuals in Trajectory 4 experienced more negative adjusted B‐IPQ scores over time than those in Trajectories 1–3. CONCLUSIONS: We observed little fluctuation in the total number of symptoms, but individual symptoms may develop as others resolve. Reporting a greater number of symptoms was congruent with more negative illness perception over time.