The study found a bidirectional relationship between post-COVID condition and pre-existing chronic conditions, with diabetes, hypertension, and obesity each associated with distinct symptom profiles in post-COVID patients.
Key Findings
Results
Non-diabetic individuals had substantially lower prevalence of headache and sore throat as post-COVID symptoms compared to diabetic individuals.
The prevalence of headache was reduced by 50% in non-diabetic individuals with post-COVID condition.
The prevalence of sore throat was reduced by 64% in non-diabetic individuals with post-COVID condition.
Analysis was conducted using a Poisson regression model to estimate the prevalence ratio.
Sample consisted of 350 patients with post-COVID condition treated in Primary Health Care services.
Results
Patients with hypertension showed twice the prevalence of muscle weakness and/or loss of strength compared to those with normal blood pressure.
The prevalence ratio for muscle weakness and/or loss of strength was approximately 2x higher in hypertensive individuals.
Comparison was made between hypertensive patients and those with normal blood pressure within the post-COVID condition cohort.
Data were collected from medical records of 350 PCC patients in Primary Health Care services.
Poisson regression modeling was used to estimate prevalence ratios.
Results
Obese individuals with post-COVID condition showed higher prevalence of diarrhea and upper limb tingling/throbbing compared to non-obese individuals.
Both diarrhea and upper limbs tingling/throbbing were identified as more prevalent post-COVID symptoms in obese individuals.
The study used a cross-sectional and analytical design with data from medical records.
The sample of 350 patients was drawn from Primary Health Care services.
Obesity was analyzed as a distinct comorbidity alongside diabetes and hypertension.
Discussion
The study identified a bidirectional relationship between post-COVID condition and pre-existing chronic comorbidities including diabetes, hypertension, and obesity.
The study analyzed and compared PCC symptoms in patients with and without chronic comorbidities.
The bidirectional relationship suggests that pre-existing conditions influence PCC symptom profiles and that PCC may in turn affect chronic conditions.
The study design was cross-sectional and analytical with a sample of 350 PCC patients.
Findings were described as providing 'a detailed understanding of how specific comorbidities influence PCC symptoms.'
Methods
The study enrolled 350 patients with post-COVID condition receiving care in Primary Health Care services, using medical records as the data source.
Study design was cross-sectional and analytical.
Data collection was performed from medical records.
Statistical analysis used a Poisson regression model to estimate prevalence ratios.
The three primary comorbidities examined were diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and obesity.
What This Means
This research suggests that common chronic health conditions — specifically diabetes, high blood pressure (hypertension), and obesity — are associated with distinct patterns of lingering symptoms in people who develop post-COVID condition (also called long COVID). Among 350 patients receiving care at primary health clinics, researchers found that people with diabetes were much more likely to experience headaches and sore throat as post-COVID symptoms, while people with high blood pressure were about twice as likely to experience muscle weakness or loss of strength. People with obesity were more likely to report diarrhea and tingling or throbbing sensations in their upper limbs.
The study also highlighted what the researchers call a 'bidirectional relationship' between post-COVID condition and these pre-existing chronic diseases. This means not only do chronic conditions appear to shape which post-COVID symptoms a person experiences, but post-COVID condition may also interact with or worsen those underlying conditions. The researchers used a statistical method called Poisson regression to estimate how much more or less common specific symptoms were depending on whether a patient had a given condition.
These findings matter because they suggest that healthcare providers managing long COVID patients may need to tailor their approach based on a patient's existing health conditions. Understanding which symptoms are most likely to appear in patients with diabetes, hypertension, or obesity could help clinicians monitor and treat post-COVID condition more effectively, particularly in primary care settings where these patients are commonly seen.
Prediger K, La Scaléa A, Uehara S. (2026). Key comorbidities in the development of post-COVID conditions: diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and obesity.. Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da U S P. https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-220X-REEUSP-2025-0473en