Document Type : Original Research
Authors
1
Department of Hematology, School of Para-Medicine, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
2
Student Research Committee, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
3
Clinical Research Development Center of Imam Khomeini Hospital, Jiroft University of Medical Sciences, Jiroft, Iran
4
Student Research Committee, Khoy University of Medical Sciences, Khoy, Iran
Abstract
Background and Aim: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a significant number of individuals experiencing long-term sequelae, known as Long COVID. One factor under investigation is the potential association between an individual's ABO blood group and their susceptibility to developing Long COVID. This study aims to investigate whether ABO blood groups and the Rh factor are associated with the risk of developing Long COVID-19 in an Iranian population.
Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 284 patients diagnosed with Long COVID at Shohada Hospital in Bushehr, Iran, between October 2022 and February 2024. Symptoms considered for Long COVID included fatigue, brain fog, shortness of breath, chronic cough, and loss of taste or smell, among others. These symptoms were tracked for persistence beyond four weeks post-infection. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association between ABO blood group, Rh factor, and the development of Long COVID, adjusting for age, sex, education level, and COVID-19 vaccination status.
Results: No significant difference was found in long COVID symptoms between individuals with severe and mild infections, and no significant association was observed between risk factors/underlying diseases and the symptoms (P>0.1). Additionally, no significant associations were observed between blood groups A, AB, or B and the development of Long COVID compared to blood group O (P>0.7). Similarly, the Rh+ factor was not significantly associated with Long COVID (P>0.2).
Conclusion: This study suggests that ABO blood group and Rh factor may not be significant risk factors for developing Long COVID in the Iranian population studied.
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