Long COVID-19 at altitudes exceeding 3,000 meters above sea level in Peru

Mundaca-Quispe R.W.; Dueñas C.L.T.; Florez-Rondán V.S.; Segovia-Díaz K.V.; Tamayo-Vargas C.M. · Horizonte Medico (2026) · DOI: 10.24265/horizmed.2026.v26n1.03

Resumen

Objective: To assess the prevalence of post-COVID-19 syndrome (long COVID) in adults aged ≥ 18 years living at altitudes exceeding 3,000 meters above sea level (m a.s.l.) in Peru. Materials and methods: A retrospective study was conducted in 400 patients aged ≥ 18 years who were evaluated for persistent symptoms following severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection at Hospital Nacional Adolfo Guevara Velasco (Cusco, Peru; 3,399 m a.s.l.) between January 2020 and December 2022. Clinical variables associated with post-COVID-19 syndrome were analyzed, with sex, age, and comorbidities considered as intervening factors. Long COVID was defined as the presence of new, recurrent, or persistent symptoms beginning or continuing three months or more after acute SARS-CoV-2 infection and lasting at least two months, with no alternative diagnostic explanation. Results: Symptoms consistent with post-COVID syndrome were observed in 50.2% of men and 48.8% of women. Prevalence increased significantly with age (22.2% in < 40 years, 33.0% in 41–60 years, and 73.4% in > 60 years; p < 0.0001). The comorbidities most strongly associated with persistent symptoms were diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obesity, bronchial asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and atrial fibrillation (AF) (p < 0.05). The most common symptoms included fatigue, dyspnea, cough, sputum production, chest pain, peripheral edema, and palpitations, with prevalences exceeding 70% in several subgroups. High rates of persistent symptoms were also observed in patients with chronic kidney disease, ischemic cerebrovascular disease, or a history of cancer, although these associations were not statistically significant. Conclusions: Post-COVID-19 syndrome has a high prevalence among adults living at high altitude, especially in those > 60 years of age with chronic comorbidities. Pre-existing conditions such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obesity, bronchial asthma, COPD, and AF are associated with a greater burden of respiratory and cardiovascular symptoms. These findings highlight the need to implement targeted post-COVID follow-up and rehabilitation programs for vulnerable populations in high-altitude settings.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos; Universidad Nacional de San Antonio Abad del Cusco; Universidad Andina del Cusco