Table 1.

Summary of available definitions of post-acute sequelae after SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC).

PASC definition	Description
Centers for disease control (20) (PASC-CDC)	Presence of ≥1 persistent symptom lasting ≥4 weeks after onset of the acute phase of COVID-19.
National institute for health and care excellence (4) (PASC-NICE)	Presence of ≥1 persistent symptom lasting ≥3 months after the last COVID-19 diagnosis. Cases in whom persistent symptoms lasted only 4–12 weeks after acute COVID-19 were defined as subacute COVID-19
WHO definition (3)	Based on a Delphi consensus, it defines PASC as the presence of ≥1 persistent symptom lasting ≥3 months after the last COVID-19 diagnosis without any alternative explanation for the symptoms.
PASC score (5) (PASC positive)	Developed by Thaweethai et al., the score is based on self-reported symptoms using data from the RECOVER adult cohort. PASC is defined based on a score ≥12 points for individuals who met the PASC WHO definition. For our study, we applied the score in individuals meeting the CDC definition and further evaluated it as a proxy of severe PASC.

The CDC, NICE and PASC score definitions were implemented in our study, as no formal ascertainment of alternative causes was conducted to meet the WHO definition.