Table 2

Delphi phase three—important and less important statements for the definition of post-COVID-19 condition

Statement category	Statement	Important		Less important
		Three-panel consensus important	Two-panel consensus important	One or no panel consensus important	Three or two-panel consensus unimportant
Testing	At least one positive COVID-19 test		√
	A positive PCR test for COVID-19			√
	A positive lateral flow test for COVID-19				√
	An antibody test for COVID-19			√
Type of initial symptoms	Before or at the time of their COVID-19 test			√
	During which time they had at least one recorded fever				√
	During which time they lost their sense of smell			√
	During which time they lost their sense of taste				√
	During which time they had a persistent cough				√
	During which time they had headache				√
	During which time they had unusual tiredness			√
	During which time they had a sore throat				√
Number of initial symptoms	1 symptom only at the time of testing				√
	2 or more symptoms at the time of testing			√
	3 or more symptoms at the time of testing				√
	4 or more symptoms at the time of testing				√
	5 or more symptoms at the time of testing				√
Persisting physical symptoms	Persisting unusual tiredness			√
	Persisting headaches			√
	Persisting unusual shortness of breath			√
	Persisting loss of smell or taste			√
	Persisting dizziness			√
	1 or more persisting physical symptoms	√
	2 or more persisting physical symptoms			√
	3 or more persisting physical symptoms			√
	4 or more persisting physical symptoms			√
	5 or more persisting physical symptoms			√
Persisting well-being symptoms	A young person experiences difficulties with emotions, concentration, behaviour or not being able to get on with other people				√
	A young person has had persistent symptoms of anxiety (worry)				√
	A young person has had persistent symptoms of low mood (sadness)				√
	A young person has had persistent problems with concentration			√
	The young person’s emotional difficulties have occurred or become worse after COVID-19 infection			√
Duration	Persist for more than 1 month after initial testing*	√
	Persist for more than 3 months after initial testing	√
	Persist for more than 6 months after initial testing			√
	Persist for more than 1 month after initial testing and are from the list of common symptoms on page 4 (ie, unusual tiredness, headaches, shortness of breath, loss of smell or taste, dizziness)			√
	Persist for more than 3 months after initial testing and are from the list of common symptoms on page 4 (ie, unusual tiredness, headaches, shortness of breath, loss of smell or taste, dizziness)	√
	Persist for more than 6 months after initial testing and are from the list of common symptoms on page 4 (ie, unusual tiredness, headaches, shortness of breath, loss of smell or taste, dizziness)			√
Burden of symptoms	The young person has symptoms that continue or develop after COVID-19 which impact their physical, mental or social well-being	√
	The young person has symptoms that are interfering with some aspect of daily living (eg, school, work, home, relationships)	√
	The young person can judge the level of interference with their life themselves			√
	The level of interference is assessed by a professional			√
	The impact of the symptoms on functioning is at least moderate†		√
Tests to exclude other diseases	Persisting COVID-19 antibodies				√
	A negative glandular fever (monospot, antibody or EBV PCR) test†		√
	A normal full blood count			√
	An abnormal full blood count				√
	A normal full blood count, CRP, ESR, urea and electrolytes, creatinine, calcium, liver function tests, random blood glucose†		√
	A normal full blood count, CRP, ESR, urea and electrolytes, creatinine, calcium, liver function tests, random blood glucose, creatine kinase, thyroid function tests, coeliac disease screen, ferritin, vitamin D			√

Statements closer to three/two-panel consensus important were identified if the percentage of people in each panel rating 7–9 was closer to 70% and 1–3 was closer to <15%.
*Close to three-panel consensus important.
†Close to two-panel consensus important.
CRP, C reactive protein; EBV PCR, Epstein Barr virus polymerase chain reaction; ESR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate.