Long Covid can impair quality of life more than advanced cancers, study says

A pillow bearing the slogans ‘I deserve care’ and ‘One year in bed!’ at a demonstration by advocates for long Covid patients in Washington DC last month. Photograph: Andrew Harnik/AP

Many people with long Covid have a lower health-related quality of life than people with some advanced cancers, research suggests.

Fatigue is the symptom with the greatest impact on the daily lives of long Covid patients, according to a study led by researchers at University College London (UCL) and the University of Exeter. They found that many were seriously ill and had fatigue scores worse than or similar to people with cancer-related anaemia or severe kidney disease.