Multiplex diagnostic test distinguishes long COVID patients from recovered controls with moderate diagnostic accuracy

This observational cohort study evaluated a multiplex diagnostic test in two groups, comprising 46 control patients recovered (CC) and 113 self-declared long COVID patients (LCC). The exposure involved testing against SARS-CoV-2 variants including Wuhan, alpha, delta, and Omicron variants BA.1, BA.2, BA.2.12.1, BA.2.75, BA.5, CH.1.1, BQ.1.1 and XBB.1.5. Data collection occurred within this specific cohort framework.

Primary outcomes focused on diagnostic classification for persistent virus and hyperimmune pathophysiologies. The area under the curve for CC versus LCC cohorts was 0.61 (95% CI 0.53-0.70). For the LCC cohort, sensitivity was 71% and specificity was 66%. Overall diagnostic accuracy was 69%. These values quantify the diagnostic performance metrics for the study.

Incidence of persistent virus was 62% (95% CI 52% - 71%), while incidence of hyperimmune was 12% (95% CI 7% - 20%). Unclassified incidence accounted for 26% (95% CI 18% - 35%). Safety data including adverse events, serious adverse events, discontinuations, and tolerability were not reported. No safety information was available for review in this dataset.

Limitations were not explicitly reported in the source data. Practice relevance suggests clinical interventions can be tailored for the heterogenous long COVID patient cohort. However, the moderate AUC and significant unclassified incidence warrant cautious interpretation of diagnostic utility. The source document did not list specific limitations or funding sources.