0 0.25 0.5 0.75 1 1.25 1.5 1.75 2+ Mohsin 28% 0.72 [0.59-0.87] severe case 302/928 298/572 Improvement, RR [CI] Treatment Control Gilley 50% 0.50 [0.28-0.89] cases 12/391 165/1,600 Paul -28% 1.28 [0.70-2.13] PASC 1,811 (all patients) LONG COVID Tau​2​ = 0.08, I​2​ = 63.1%, p = 0.18 Prophylaxis 24% 0.76 [0.51-1.13] 314/1,319 463/2,172 24% lower risk All studies 24% 0.76 [0.51-1.13] 314/1,319 463/2,172 24% lower risk 3 alcohol COVID-19 studies c19early.org October 2026 Tau​2​ = 0.08, I​2​ = 63.1%, p = 0.18 Effect extraction pre-specified(most serious outcome, see appendix) Favors less alcohol Favors control
Studies analyze alcohol consumption before infection. Results are expressed as the effect of lower or no alcohol consumption compared to higher consumption.
Apr 13
2022
 Paul et al., medRxiv, doi:10.1101/2022.04.12.22273792 Health behaviours the month prior to COVID-19 infection and the development of self-reported long COVID and specific long COVID symptoms: A longitudinal analysis of 1,811 UK adults
28% higher long COVID (p=0.4). Retrospective 1,811 COVID-19 patients in the UK, showing no significant difference in self-reported long COVID based on having ≤14 vs. >14 alcoholic drinks per week in the month before infection.
Feb 10
2022
 Gilley et al., JMIR Mental Health, doi:10.2196/34645 Risk Factors for COVID-19 in College Students Identified by Physical, Mental, and Social Health Reported During the Fall 2020 Semester: Observational Study Using the Roadmap App and Fitbit Wearable Sensors
50% fewer cases (p=0.05). Retrospective survey of 1,997 college students in the USA, showing higher risk of COVID-19 cases with alcohol consumption.
Sep 30
2021
 Mohsin et al., Infection and Drug Resistance, doi:10.2147/IDR.S331470 Lifestyle and Comorbidity-Related Risk Factors of Severe and Critical COVID-19 Infection: A Comparative Study Among Survived COVID-19 Patients in Bangladesh
28% lower severe cases (p=0.001). Retrospective 1,500 COVID+ patients in Bangladesh, showing higher risk of severe cases with alcohol/smokeless tobacco/substance abuse.