{"id":"44006582-be7c-4a1d-a6c1-c16da3d24f5a","VespaId":"conexiant-cfa90e45-ca70-4271-b77c-cb7f20f09752","Title":"Mpox Sequelae Persist 11 to 18 Months After Infection ","RewrittenTitle":"","Description":"Study supports follow-up and multidisciplinary care for persistent physical and psychosocial effects ","BodyContent":"More than half of adults evaluated 11 to 18 months after mpox diagnosis had at least 1 persistent physical sequela, most commonly mild appearance-related changes such as skin discoloration or scarring, according to a cohort study published in Annals of Internal Medicine. Although most participants rated their overall health as good or better, many reported ongoing social and sexual effects, and 13% had functional complications, including anorectal and urinary symptoms. The Life After Mpox (LAMP) study enrolled 154 adults with prior laboratory-confirmed mpox from clinics in New York City and Houston and assessed them a median of 15 months following acute illness. Clinicians rated 97% of participants' overall health as good or better, yet 58% had at least one persistent sequela and nearly half reported ongoing psychosocial challenges. The study was led by Preetam A. Cholli, MD, of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and colleagues. On clinician assessment, 58% of post-mpox participants had at least 1 persistent sequela. Most were appearance related (56%), typically limited in extent: among those with appearance-related sequelae, 51% had changes at 1 to 2 sites, 83% had persistent skin discoloration, and 51% had scars – with most reporting fewer than 10 scars or discrete pigmented areas. Functional sequelae were reported in 13% of patients, most often involving anorectal or urinary dysfunction. Among those with functional sequelae, 50% reported difficulty defecating or stool incontinence and 35% reported urinary hesitancy or incontinence. A small number required procedural intervention following acute mpox infection, and some reported ongoing needs for assistive devices or ancillary services. Beyond physical findings, 45% of participants reported increased depressive symptoms and 40% reported increased anhedonia. Nearly half of post-mpox participants reported ongoing challenges with social life, and nearly one in five reported ongoing effects on sexual performance. Participants with persistent appearance-related sequelae more often reported adverse effects on social life, while those with functional sequelae reported adverse effects on sexual performance nearly five times more often compared to those without functional sequelae. By contrast, persistent sequelae were linked to markers of more severe acute disease. In multivariable analyses of acute severity components, having confluent lesions at least 2 cm in diameter was the only component independently associated with long-term appearance-related sequelae. The study assessed whether persistent sequelae were associated with HIV control, vaccination, or antiviral treatment. Persistent physical sequelae were not independently associated with uncontrolled HIV (viral load ≥200 copies/mL), prior Modified Vaccinia Ankara–Bavarian Nordic (MVA-BN) vaccination, or tecovirimat treatment. The researchers concluded that “post-mpox sequelae frequently persisted 11 to 18 months following acute mpox infection, with limited body distribution or physical morbidity but with continued social and sexual effects.” These results support longer-term follow-up after mpox, including assessment of persistent skin changes, anorectal or urinary symptoms, and ongoing social and sexual impacts. Disclosures can be found in the study. Source: Annals of Internal Medicine ","Url":"https://news.mdspire.com/infectious-disease/articles/mpox-sequelae-persist-up-to-18-months-after-infection/","ContentType":"article","ThumbnailImgUrl":"https://news.mdspire.com/media/onsjkhoq/monkeypox-mpox.jpg","PubName":"MDSpire News","LastUpdated":"2026-01-28T18:50:38Z","PublishDate":"2026-01-27T07:00:00Z","SourceId":"cfa90e45-ca70-4271-b77c-cb7f20f09752","IsSyndicated":false,"SyndicateExternally":true,"IsOurContent":true,"TranscriptUrl":"","Transcript":"","Volume":"","Issue":"","IsSponsored":false,"Authors":["Henry Thomas"],"Categories":[{"Label":"Categories","Options":["From The Journals"]}],"AIContent":{"Teaser":"","Summary":"

Objective:

To evaluate the persistence of physical and psychosocial sequelae in adults following mpox infection, specifically focusing on the population of 154 adults from New York City and Houston.

Key Findings:

58% of participants had at least one persistent physical sequela.
Most common sequelae were appearance-related, including skin discoloration (83%) and scarring (51%).
13% reported functional complications, primarily anorectal and urinary symptoms.
45% experienced increased depressive symptoms and 40% increased anhedonia.
Persistent sequelae linked to more severe acute disease, specifically confluent lesions.

Interpretation:

Post-mpox sequelae frequently persist long-term, impacting both physical appearance and psychosocial well-being, highlighting the need for ongoing healthcare support.

Limitations:

Study limited to participants from specific clinics in New York City and Houston, which may affect generalizability.
Potential biases in self-reported health and psychosocial assessments.

Conclusion:

Long-term follow-up after mpox is essential to address persistent sequelae and their social and sexual impacts, including specific assessments for skin changes and functional complications.

Sources:

Annals of Internal Medicine

","SummaryUrl":"","Notecard":["Over half of adults evaluated 11 to 18 months post-mpox diagnosis had at least one persistent physical sequela.","The most common sequelae were mild appearance-related changes, including skin discoloration and scarring.","Thirteen percent of participants reported functional complications, primarily involving anorectal and urinary symptoms.","Nearly half of participants experienced ongoing social challenges, with significant effects on sexual performance reported.","Persistent sequelae were linked to markers of more severe acute disease, particularly confluent lesions over 2 cm."],"NotecardUrl":"","Report":"

Clinical Report: Mpox Sequelae Persist 11 to 18 Months After Infection

Overview

A cohort study found that over half of adults evaluated 11 to 18 months post-mpox diagnosis had at least one persistent physical sequela, primarily mild appearance-related changes. Despite good overall health ratings, many participants reported ongoing social and sexual effects.

Background

Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, can lead to significant long-term sequelae following acute infection. Understanding these persistent effects is crucial for managing patient care and addressing the psychosocial impacts on individuals recovering from mpox. This study highlights the need for ongoing follow-up and support for affected patients.

Data Highlights

Finding	Percentage
Participants with at least one persistent sequela	58%
Appearance-related sequelae	56%
Participants reporting ongoing psychosocial challenges	~50%
Functional sequelae (anorectal/urinary symptoms)	13%
Participants with increased depressive symptoms	45%
Participants with ongoing effects on sexual performance	~20%

Key Findings

58% of participants had at least one persistent sequela 11 to 18 months post-infection.
56% of sequelae were appearance-related, with 83% reporting persistent skin discoloration.
13% of participants experienced functional complications, primarily anorectal or urinary dysfunction.
45% reported increased depressive symptoms, and 40% reported increased anhedonia.
Persistent sequelae were linked to more severe acute disease, particularly confluent lesions.
Persistent sequelae were not associated with uncontrolled HIV or prior vaccination.

Clinical Implications

Healthcare providers should be aware of the potential for long-term sequelae in patients recovering from mpox, including psychosocial impacts. Regular follow-up assessments are recommended to address persistent symptoms and support overall health and well-being.

Conclusion

The findings underscore the importance of long-term monitoring for individuals recovering from mpox, as many experience lasting physical and psychosocial challenges. Continued research and support are essential for this patient population.

Related Resources & Content

","Scorecard":"

Clinical Scorecard: Mpox Sequelae Persist 11 to 18 Months After Infection

\n\n

At a Glance

\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n

Category	Detail
Condition	Mpox sequelae
Key Mechanisms	Persistent physical and psychosocial effects following acute mpox infection.
Target Population	Adults with prior laboratory-confirmed mpox.
Care Setting	Post-acute care and follow-up clinics.

\n\n

Key Highlights

58% of participants had at least one persistent sequela.
Most common sequelae included skin discoloration and scarring.
13% reported functional complications, mainly anorectal and urinary symptoms.
45% experienced increased depressive symptoms.
Persistent sequelae linked to more severe acute disease.

\n\n

Guideline-Based Recommendations

Diagnosis

Assess for persistent physical sequelae and psychosocial effects in post-mpox patients.

Management

Provide support for ongoing social and sexual health challenges.

Monitoring & Follow-up

Long-term follow-up for skin changes and functional symptoms.

Risks

Higher likelihood of social and sexual performance issues in patients with functional sequelae.

\n\n

Patient & Prescribing Data

Adults previously diagnosed with mpox.

Persistent sequelae not linked to HIV control, vaccination, or antiviral treatment.

\n\n

Clinical Best Practices

Conduct thorough assessments for psychosocial impacts post-mpox.
Monitor for functional complications and provide necessary interventions.
Encourage reporting of ongoing symptoms to guide management.

\n\n

Related Resources & Content

Annals of Internal Medicine

","ParagraphTts":"https://conexiantaistorage.s3.amazonaws.com/media/paragraph_summary/deriv-para-c4f2fd3d-b4d0-4dee-a10c-3980287a79ca.mp3","ParagraphTtsUrl":"","ParagraphTtsDuration":2,"Poll":{"Id":"22ab6e5f-8731-4831-9f98-6c03d0f48590","Question":"How do you approach follow-up care for patients post-mpox infection?","Options":[{"Id":"350d0a98-0e6c-466d-b6e2-2c41e84f9035","Text":"Focus on physical sequelae management"},{"Id":"917139b2-576a-4fea-8ed1-298daf0532ba","Text":"Address psychosocial challenges"},{"Id":"af4d1d3d-12e1-40e8-be3f-d2a3df330249","Text":"Monitor functional complications"},{"Id":"d85a80f3-6b1b-4968-a52d-801b6cf4be2e","Text":"Provide education on long-term effects"}]},"Quiz":{"Id":"99a2ebcf-0bef-43b7-8f44-71ce3d9463e5","Questions":[{"CorrectAnswerId":"51a5ba06-c7c7-4218-802c-06cb380d900a","Rationale":"The article states that 58% had at least one persistent sequela.","Id":"1f80976f-3741-4e81-9bbe-86f8514aaaad","Question":"What percentage of adults evaluated after mpox diagnosis had at least one persistent physical sequela?","Options":[{"Id":"16f57316-90fa-4bfb-8a53-9ac88387803f","Text":"70%"},{"Id":"eddbc2c2-8097-472d-8196-fb4d89c2b250","Text":"45%"},{"Id":"2727c513-a497-47a7-9e8b-63dea4a5f2e3","Text":"33%"},{"Id":"51a5ba06-c7c7-4218-802c-06cb380d900a","Text":"58%"}]},{"CorrectAnswerId":"b7f72493-95bb-4445-961b-3bef7ddc21fe","Rationale":"The article indicates that the most common persistent sequelae were mild appearance-related changes.","Id":"96ae8b08-d0bd-4ada-ab75-4f09b146c0b5","Question":"What was the most common type of persistent physical sequela reported by participants?","Options":[{"Id":"8dadab7a-28b1-4eb5-9b8d-e1bea41e03ab","Text":"Increased depressive symptoms"},{"Id":"b7f72493-95bb-4445-961b-3bef7ddc21fe","Text":"Appearance-related changes"},{"Id":"896f4491-2688-4f9e-a8c2-5fdba5122f60","Text":"Functional complications"},{"Id":"9d83afbd-0327-4b11-b1cf-9c22439a6425","Text":"Anhedonia"}]},{"CorrectAnswerId":"13e8a1f7-8a57-48a1-b695-bfa1fe538bb1","Rationale":"The article mentions that nearly half reported ongoing psychosocial challenges.","Id":"1b740f23-5675-40ac-a1df-dfa26bb64242","Question":"What percentage of participants reported ongoing social challenges after mpox?","Options":[{"Id":"1498be69-bf63-4c7e-8883-34fd69c5e88c","Text":"20%"},{"Id":"13e8a1f7-8a57-48a1-b695-bfa1fe538bb1","Text":"Nearly half"},{"Id":"1eb90e03-c913-46dc-83ca-3ab7e0864314","Text":"75%"},{"Id":"b529f5a8-e060-423b-a4a5-ec6c86b52d44","Text":"30%"}]},{"CorrectAnswerId":"ff7e64e7-ed01-403b-9898-a6bea6f12e06","Rationale":"The article states that 13% had functional complications.","Id":"0fcd55e6-07bf-4c6d-8c98-6aa530cde92b","Question":"What percentage of participants experienced functional complications after mpox?","Options":[{"Id":"a638e313-a35c-4f25-b97d-1448f50a013f","Text":"5%"},{"Id":"ff7e64e7-ed01-403b-9898-a6bea6f12e06","Text":"13%"},{"Id":"835403a5-eb32-44f9-a4f0-7855f86e1e29","Text":"25%"},{"Id":"c4dfe0db-a3e0-4e14-8c89-8bd5c5300b3b","Text":"40%"}]},{"CorrectAnswerId":"b6a6f98c-184d-431f-b4bf-10b38df4ae3f","Rationale":"The article specifies that having confluent lesions at least 2 cm in diameter was the only component associated with long-term appearance-related sequelae.","Id":"03a7e399-d20a-49ca-8d90-3421bf36eefc","Question":"What was the only component independently associated with long-term appearance-related sequelae?","Options":[{"Id":"f4d0c249-c3da-4a28-a901-0d4740c04aad","Text":"Having a high viral load"},{"Id":"c68b9313-0c33-413f-a13c-0c6dad8188c9","Text":"Antiviral treatment"},{"Id":"b6a6f98c-184d-431f-b4bf-10b38df4ae3f","Text":"Having confluent lesions at least 2 cm in diameter"},{"Id":"faef8bcd-1115-420b-b2ef-f88a6f420bea","Text":"Prior vaccination"}]},{"CorrectAnswerId":"d36484a7-f38a-42ff-8fbd-06762e05a6f1","Rationale":"The article states that 45% of participants reported increased depressive symptoms.","Id":"7e6c3837-4092-47bb-8ce5-34825d958a22","Question":"What percentage of participants reported increased depressive symptoms after mpox?","Options":[{"Id":"b5c8e718-a25a-4bac-820f-63304ecc15d2","Text":"60%"},{"Id":"7a9d3aa9-dc61-46f2-b1ac-2c5982e2bc96","Text":"25%"},{"Id":"d36484a7-f38a-42ff-8fbd-06762e05a6f1","Text":"45%"},{"Id":"1b818127-3c97-432d-a6a8-27842c72386b","Text":"10%"}]},{"CorrectAnswerId":"5575ff9c-b836-4d8c-9d28-b149a07f6301","Rationale":"The article mentions that nearly one in five reported ongoing effects on sexual performance.","Id":"a22088fa-b536-40e4-a44e-e892d0432e37","Question":"What percentage of post-mpox participants reported ongoing effects on sexual performance?","Options":[{"Id":"5575ff9c-b836-4d8c-9d28-b149a07f6301","Text":"Nearly one in five"},{"Id":"a666df01-a64c-4edd-9632-dd0b418e61f5","Text":"One in four"},{"Id":"19ebc6b8-c892-434d-86b2-a23011839527","Text":"One in three"},{"Id":"941fff8a-510a-48d4-ab6c-1018397663b6","Text":"One in ten"}]}]},"TopInstitutions":null,"TopicCommentary":null,"AuthorBios":[{"has_bio":false,"name":"Henry Thomas","title":"","institution_name":"","institution_city":"","institution_state":"","headshot_url":"","relevant_specialty":"","bio":"Biographical information for this author is currently unavailable.","education":[],"publications":[],"related_articles":[]}],"TopThoughtLeaders":null,"PrimarySpecialty":"Infectious Disease","Specialties":["Infectious Disease","Dermatology"],"TopicsConditions":["Mpox","Infectious Diseases"],"Keywords":["Mpox","Sequelae","Skin Discoloration","Scarring","Anorectal Symptoms","Urinary Symptoms","Psychosocial Effects","Long-Term Follow-Up","Hiv","Vaccination"],"MeshTerms":["Mpox, Monkeypox","Depressive Disorder","Social Behavior","Vaccines","Antiviral Agents"],"MeshDescriptors":[]},"Mesh":[],"MeetingName":"","ReadTime":3,"Stem":"","BodyWithHtml":"","LeadImageInfo":{},"VideoInfo":null}

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