METHODS: We included nulliparous individuals with singleton pregnancies who self-identified as Hispanic, non-Hispanic Black (NHB), or non-Hispanic White (NHW) and participated in the nuMoM2b cohort study (Nulliparous Pregnancy Outcomes Study: Monitoring Mothers-to-Be). First-trimester CVH was quantified using 6 routinely assessed factors in pregnancy included in the American Heart Association Life's Essential 8 score (0-100 points), in which higher scores indicate better CVH. Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition evaluated the extent to which racial and ethnic differences in CVH were explained by differences in individual- and neighborhood-level factors (age, socioeconomic characteristics, psychosocial factors, nativity, perceived racial discrimination, and area deprivation index).
RESULTS: Among 9104 participants, the mean age was 26.8 years, 18.7% identified as Hispanic, 15.6% identified as NHB, and 65.8% identified as NHW. Mean (SD) CVH scores were 76.7 (14.1), 69.8 (15.1), and 79.9 (14.3) in the Hispanic, NHB, and NHW groups, respectively (P<0.01). The individual- and neighborhood-level factors evaluated explained all differences in CVH between Hispanic and NHW groups and 82% of differences between NHW and NHB groups. Racial and ethnic differences in educational attainment explained the greatest proportion of differences in CVH. If mean years of education among the Hispanic (14.0 [2.5]) and NHB (13.4 [2.4]) groups were the same as the NHW (15.8 [2.4]) group, mean CVH scores would be higher by 2.98 points (95% CI, 2.59-3.37) in the Hispanic and 4.28 points (95% CI, 3.77-4.80) in NHB groups.
CONCLUSIONS: Racial and ethnic differences in early pregnancy CVH were largely explained by differences in individual- and neighborhood-level factors.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the likelihood of improvement among persons with likely LC.
DESIGN: Prospective, multisite cohort study (RECOVER-Adult [Researching COVID to Enhance Recovery]).
SETTING: 83 U.S.-based sites across 33 states; Washington, DC; and Puerto Rico.
PARTICIPANTS: 1019 persons in RECOVER-Adult with likely LC (LC Research Index [LCRI] ≥11) 12 months after first SARS-CoV-2 infection.
MEASUREMENTS: The primary outcome was time until 2 consecutive study visits with LCRI less than 11. Secondary outcomes were time until LCRI measure reduced 50% or more and quality of life was good or better, and LCRI decreased to 0. Unadjusted estimates of cumulative incidence and adjusted marginal cumulative incidence by age, sex, SARS-CoV-2 wave, and LC subtype were reported across all follow-up time points.
RESULTS: An estimated 36.2% (95% CI, 33.0% to 39.5%) met the primary outcome by 24 months after infection, and 50.1% (CI, 46.1% to 54.0%) met the primary outcome by 36 months. An estimated 56.4% (CI, 52.2% to 60.4%) and 26.9% (CI, 23.3% to 30.5%), respectively, met the 2 secondary outcomes by 36 months. Among persons who still reported likely LC at 18 months and 24 months after first infection, relative timing of subsequent symptom improvement was similar.
LIMITATION: Findings in this observational cohort are interpretable in a population with prevalent likely LC and do not address causal relationships between individual characteristics and symptom improvement.
CONCLUSION: Among persons with likely LC 12 months after initial SARS-CoV-2 infection, one half experience meaningful reductions in symptoms by 36 months, whereas a quarter experience complete remission of symptoms. These findings underscore both the potential for natural recovery and the urgent need for placebo-controlled therapeutic intervention trials.
PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE: National Institutes of Health.