Follow @Annalsofim on X , Facebook , Instagram , Bluesky , and Linkedin
Below please find summaries of new articles that will be published in the next issue of Annals of Internal Medicine . The summaries are not intended to substitute for the full articles as a source of information. This information is under strict embargo and by taking it into possession, media representatives are committing to the terms of the embargo not only on their own behalf, but also on behalf of the organization they represent.
----------------------------
1. Half of long COVID patients see meaningful symptom improvement within three years
Abstract: https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/ANNALS-25-05275
URL goes live when the embargo lifts
A prospective cohort study found that about half of people living with long COVID a year after their initial COVID-19 infection experienced a meaningful symptom improvement within three years, whereas a quarter experienced a complete remission. While the study shows that long COVID recovery is often gradual, the findings suggest a need for placebo-controlled studies examining therapeutic interventions given the large number of adults living with this condition. The study is published in Annals of Internal Medicine .
Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital and colleagues followed 1,019 adults in the RECOVER-Adult cohort with likely long COVID 12 months after initial COVID-19 diagnosis to evaluate the likelihood of improvement in symptoms. Investigators tracked participants' symptoms over time via a commonly used long COVID research index, and assessed how many experienced sustained improvement, major symptom reduction, or complete remission of symptoms. By two years after initial infection, 36.2% of patients experienced a sustained symptom improvement, and by three years, 50.1% of participants experienced a sustained symptom improvement. Also by three years, 56.4% experienced substantial symptom reductions along with a good quality of life, and nearly 26.9% experienced complete remission. The findings suggest that recovery is possible for many patients, but they also highlight the need for clinical trials to develop effective treatments for those whose symptoms persist.
Media contacts: For an embargoed PDF, please contact Gabby Macrina at gmacrina@acponline.org. To contact corresponding author Harrison T. Reeder, PhD, please email Cassandra Falone at cfalone@mgb.org.
----------------------------
2. Spinal fusion offers no added benefit for most patients undergoing surgery for degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis
Abstract: https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/ANNALS-25-05260
A target trial emulation found that adding spinal fusion to standard decompression surgery was not associated with improved pain, function, or the need for additional surgery in patients with degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis. Outcomes one year after surgery were similar whether patients received decompression alone or decompression combined with fusion, suggesting that the more complex procedure may provide little added benefit for most patients. The findings are published in Annals of Internal Medicine .
Despite prior research showing limited benefits and increased risks of adding spinal fusion surgery to decompression for degenerative spondylolisthesis, decompression with fusion has increased in many countries over the last two decades. Researchers from the Centre for Pain IMPACT, Neuroscience Research Australia and colleagues used information from a large Norwegian spine surgery registry and a randomized clinical trial to analyze data from 2,252 adults with degenerative spondylolisthesis and compare outcomes among patients who underwent decompression surgery alone with those who also received spinal fusion. The study measured disability using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score and the need for repeat surgery one year after treatment. After 12 months, the ODI score was 22.3 for decompression alone and 20.0 for decompression with fusion, indicating no meaningful differences between the groups. No patient subgroup appeared to benefit more from the addition of fusion. In addition, decompression with fusion increased the duration of surgery, length of stay, and perioperative complications versus decompression alone. The findings do not support adding fusion to decompression surgery alone.
Media contacts: For an embargoed PDF, please contact Gabby Macrina at gmacrina@acponline.org. To contact corresponding author James H. McAuley, PhD, please email j.mcauley@neura.edu.au.
Also in this issue:
Hospital Medicine at 30: Anticipating the Future of Acute Care
S. Ryan Greysen, MD, MHS; and Robert M. Wachter, MD, MHM
Ideas and Opinions
Abstract: https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/ANNALS-26-02392
Author Q&A: https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/ANNALS-26-04506-IM
Measles
Nathan C. Lo, MD, PhD
In the Clinic
Abstract: https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/ANNALS-26-03912
Annals of Internal Medicine
News article
People
Timing of Long COVID Improvement in Prospectively Followed RECOVER-Adult Participants
3-Nov-2026