The debilitating effects of long-COVID in the U.S. Coronavirus Disease COVID19 LongCOVID medrxivpreprint JohnsHopkinsSPH
By Dr. Liji Thomas, MDDec 14 2022Reviewed by Benedette Cuffari, M.Sc. The emergence of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 led to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, which continues to cause immense social and economic disruptions worldwide. These effects are due to the high morbidity and mortality rates associated with COVID-19 and restrictions on human interactions due to public health interventions.
Typically, long COVID is reported among previously hospitalized patients; however, the mild or moderate infection has also been shown to precipitate this syndrome. Similarly, both males and females can suffer from long COVID and those with or without pre-existing medical conditions. The researchers interviewed almost 8,000 adults, with a median age of 45 years, 84% female and nearly 90% white.
Physical activity was reported by about 70% of participants, irrespective of whether they had long COVID or not; however, half of those with long COVID stated their physical activity had declined after their COVID-19 diagnosis. Patients hospitalized during their COVID-19 illness were at an increased risk of long COVID; however, 60% of non-hospitalized patients also reported a significantly high burden of disability, IADL, and mental fatigue. Over 20% of those who reported disability experienced impairment in all three categories, whereas around 5% had critical disability among non-hospitalized long COVID patients.
Long-COVID patients reported severe and critical mental fatigue in 7% and 5% of cases, respectively, compared to 0.2% with severe impairment and no critical impairment among those with resolved and no COVID.
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What is the prevalence of COVID-19 detection by PCR among deceased individuals in Lusaka, Zambia? A postmortem surveillance studyObjectives To determine the prevalence of COVID-19 postmortem setting in Lusaka, Zambia. Design A systematic, postmortem prevalence study. Setting A busy, inner-city morgue in Lusaka. Participants We sampled a random subset of all decedents who transited the University Teaching Hospital morgue. We sampled the posterior nasopharynx of decedents using quantitative PCR. Prevalence was weighted to account for age-specific enrolment strategies. Interventions Not applicable—this was an observational study. Primary outcomes Prevalence of COVID-19 detections by PCR. Results were stratified by setting (facility vs community deaths), age, demographics and geography and time. Secondary outcomes Shifts in viral variants; causal inferences based on cycle threshold values and other features; antemortem testing rates. Results From 1118 decedents enrolled between January and June 2021, COVID-19 was detected among 32.0% (358/1116). Roughly four COVID-19+ community deaths occurred for every facility death. Antemortem testing occurred for 52.6% (302/574) of facility deaths but only 1.8% (10/544) of community deaths and overall, only ~10% of COVID-19+ deaths were identified in life. During peak transmission periods, COVID-19 was detected in ~90% of all deaths. We observed three waves of transmission that peaked in July 2020, January 2021 and ~June 2021: the AE.1 lineage and the Beta and Delta variants, respectively. PCR signals were strongest among those whose deaths were deemed ‘probably due to COVID-19’, and weakest among children, with an age-dependent increase in PCR signal intensity. Conclusions COVID-19 was common among deceased individuals in Lusaka. Antemortem testing was rarely done, and almost never for community deaths. Suspicion that COVID-19 was the cause of deaths was highest for those with a respiratory syndrome and lowest for individuals |19 years. Data are available upon reasonable request.
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Brain fog of post-COVID-19 condition and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, same medical disorder? - Journal of Translational MedicineBackground Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is characterized by persistent physical and mental fatigue. The post-COVID-19 condition patients refer physical fatigue and cognitive impairment sequelae. Given the similarity between both conditions, could it be the same pathology with a different precipitating factor? Objective To describe the cognitive impairment, neuropsychiatric symptoms, and general symptomatology in both groups, to find out if it is the same pathology. As well as verify if the affectation of smell is related to cognitive deterioration in patients with post-COVID-19 condition. Methods The sample included 42 ME/CFS and 73 post-COVID-19 condition patients. Fatigue, sleep quality, anxiety and depressive symptoms, the frequency and severity of different symptoms, olfactory function and a wide range of cognitive domains were evaluated. Results Both syndromes are characterized by excessive physical fatigue, sleep problems and myalgia. Sustained attention and processing speed were impaired in 83.3% and 52.4% of ME/CFS patients while in post-COVID-19 condition were impaired in 56.2% and 41.4% of patients, respectively. Statistically significant differences were found in sustained attention and visuospatial ability, being the ME/CFS group who presented the worst performance. Physical problems and mood issues were the main variables correlating with cognitive performance in post-COVID-19 patients, while in ME/CFS it was anxiety symptoms and physical fatigue. Conclusions The symptomatology and cognitive patterns were similar in both groups, with greater impairment in ME/CFS. This disease is characterized by greater physical and neuropsychiatric problems compared to post-COVID-19 condition. Likewise, we also propose the relevance of prolonged hyposmia as a possible marker of cognitive deterioration in patients with post-COVID-19.
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The effectiveness of nirmatrelvir-ritonavir and molnupiravir for the treatment of COVID-19 among US veteransThe effectiveness of nirmatrelvir-ritonavir and molnupiravir for the treatment of COVID-19 among US veterans medrxivpreprint OHSUNews YaleMed UMich HopkinsMedicine COVID19 coronavirus covid veterans antiviral
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Lancashire school closures today as snow, ice and Covid takes tollParklands High School in Chorley is fully closed while Bleasdale School in Carnforth is partially shut
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