@article {pmid39042286,
year = {2024},
author = {Maiti, AK},
title = {Bioinformatic analysis predicts the regulatory function of noncoding SNPs associated with Long COVID-19 syndrome.},
journal = {Immunogenetics},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {39042286},
issn = {1432-1211},
abstract = {Long or Post COVID-19 is a condition of collected symptoms persisted after recovery from COVID-19. Host genetic factors play a crucial role in developing Long COVID-19, and GWAS studies identified several SNPs/genes in various ethnic populations. In African-American population two SNPS, rs10999901 (C>T, p = 3.6E-08, OR = 1.39, MAF-0,27, GRCH38, chr10:71584799 bp) and rs1868001 (G>A, p = 6.7E-09, OR = 1.40, MAF-0.46, GRCH38, chr10:71587815 bp) and in Hispanic population, rs3759084 (A>C, p = 9.7E-09, OR = 1.56, MAF-0.17, chr12: 81,110,156 bp) are strongly associated with Long COVID-19. All these three SNPs reside in noncoding regions implying their regulatory function in the genome. In silico dissection suggests that rs10999901 and rs1868001 physically interact with the CDH23 and C10orf105 genes. Both SNPs act as distant enhancers and bind with several transcription factors (TFs). Further, rs10999901 SNP is a CpG that is methylated in CD4++ T cells and monocytes and loses its methylation due to transition from C>T. rs3759084 is located in the promoter (- 687 bp) of MYF5, acts as a distant enhancer, and physically interacts with PTPRQ. These results offer plausible explanations for their association and provide the basis for experiments to dissect the development of symptoms of Long COVID-19.},
}

@article {pmid39040593,
year = {2024},
author = {Daynes, E and Baldwin, MM and Annals, M and Gardiner, N and Chaplin, E and Ward, S and Greening, NJ and Evans, RA and Singh, SJ},
title = {Changes in fatigue symptoms following an exercise-based rehabilitation programme for patients with long COVID.},
journal = {ERJ open research},
volume = {10},
number = {4},
pages = {},
pmid = {39040593},
issn = {2312-0541},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: There is evidence to support COVID-19 rehabilitation programmes improving persistent COVID-19 symptoms; however, there is concern that therapies that include an exercise component may increase fatigue and post-exertional symptom exacerbation (PESE). The objectives of the present study were to determine the effect of a 6-week COVID-19 rehabilitation programme on fatigue and PESE in individuals with ongoing COVID-19 symptoms.

METHODS: After a routine medical assessment, individuals with persistent COVID-19 symptoms were enrolled on a 6-week COVID-19 specific rehabilitation programme. The programme included symptom-titrated exercise, education and self-management advice. Fatigue was assessed pre- and post-programme using the Functional Assessment Chronic Illness Therapy Fatigue questionnaire (FACIT). Exercise capacity (Incremental and Endurance Shuttle Walking Test (ISWT and ESWT)) and PESE (DePaul Symptom Questionnaire (DSQ)) were also assessed pre- and post-programme. Composite scores were calculated for the frequency and severity domains of the DSQ.

RESULTS: 148 patients (median (IQR) age 59 (49-72) years, 82 (55%) female, 81 (54%) hospitalised) completed the COVID-19 rehabilitation programme. FACIT score was reduced pre- to post-programme by a mean (CI) change of -5 (-7- -4); p<0.01. Exercise capacity increased by 82 (65-99) m for the ISWT and 398 (333-462) s for the ESWT (n=148). PESE was assessed in 44 patients. The DSQ frequency and severity composite score improved by 20 (13-28) and 19 (13-26) points, respectively (p<0.01, n=44).

CONCLUSION: These data demonstrate the potential benefits of a COVID-19 rehabilitation programme in improving fatigue, exercise capacity and symptom exacerbation in those with persistent COVID-19 symptoms.},
}

@article {pmid39040197,
year = {2024},
author = {Uswatte, G and Taub, E and Ball, K and Mitchell, BS and Blake, JA and McKay, S and Biney, F and Iosipchuk, O and Hempfling, P and Harris, E and Dickerson, A and Lokken, K and Knight, AJ and Mark, VW and Agnihotri, S and Cutter, G},
title = {Long COVID Brain Fog Treatment: Findings from a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of Constraint-Induced Cognitive Therapy.},
journal = {medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1101/2024.07.04.24309908},
pmid = {39040197},
abstract = {PURPOSE: Long COVID brain fog is often disabling. Yet, no empirically-supported treatments exist. This study's objectives were to evaluate feasibility and efficacy, provisionally, of a new rehabilitation approach, Constraint-Induced Cognitive Therapy (CICT), for post-COVID-19 cognitive sequelae.

DESIGN: Sixteen community-residents ≥ 3-months post-COVID-19 infection with mild cognitive impairment and dysfunction in instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) were enrolled. Participants were randomized to Immediate-CICT or treatment-as-usual (TAU) with crossover to CICT. CICT combined behavior change techniques modified from Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy with Speed of Processing Training, a computerized cognitive-training program. CICT was deemed feasible if (a) ≥80% of participants completed treatment, (b) the same found treatment highly satisfying and at most moderately difficult, and (c) <2 study-related, serious adverse-events occurred. The primary outcome was IADL performance in daily life (Canadian Occupational Performance Measure). Employment status and brain fog (Mental Clutter Scale) were also assessed.

RESULTS: Fourteen completed Immediate-CICT (n =7) or TAU (n =7); two withdrew from TAU before their second testing session. Completers were [ M (S D)]: 10 (7) months post-COVID; 51 (13) years old; 10 females, 4 males; 1 African American, 13 European American. All the feasibility benchmarks were met. Immediate-CICT, relative to TAU, produced very large improvements in IADL performance (M =3.7 points, p<.001, d =2.6) and brain fog (M =-4 points, p<.001, d =-2.9). Four of five non-retired Immediate-CICT participants returned-to-work post-treatment; no TAU participants did, p =.048.

CONCLUSIONS: CICT has promise for reducing brain fog, improving IADL, and promoting returning-to-work in adults with Long COVID. Findings warrant a large-scale RCT with an active-comparison group.

IMPACT: Brain fog in adults with Long COVID is often associated with dysfunction in everyday activities and unemployment. Yet, there are no empirically supported treatments targeting cognition in this population. Findings from this small-scale, pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) suggest that a novel intervention, i.e., Constraint-Induced Cognitive Therapy, is a feasible cognitive rehabilitation method in adults with Long COVID cognitive sequelae with promise of (a) improving performance of cognition-based tasks in daily life and (b) promoting return-to-work. Further studies with larger sample sizes are warranted.Speed of Processing Training (SOPT) has been shown to increase processing speed in older adults without neurological disorders but has not been applied to adults with brain fog due to Long COVID, in whom slowing of cognitive processing speed is common. The results of this pilot RCT suggest that SOPT, in conjunction with behavior change techniques, may increase cognitive processing speed in this brain-injured population.},
}

@article {pmid39040190,
year = {2024},
author = {Menkir, TF and Citarella, BW and Sigfrid, L and Doshi, Y and Reyes, LF and Calvache, JA and Kildal, AB and Nygaard, AB and Holter, JC and Panda, PK and Jassat, W and Merson, L and Donnelly, CA and Santillana, M and Buckee, C and Verguet, S and Hejazi, NS},
title = {Modeling the relative influence of socio-demographic variables on post-acute COVID-19 quality of life.},
journal = {medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1101/2024.02.21.24303099},
pmid = {39040190},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2, referred to as "long COVID", are a globally pervasive threat. While their many clinical determinants are commonly considered, their plausible social correlates are often overlooked.

METHODS: Here, we use data from a multinational prospective cohort study to compare social and clinical predictors of differences in quality of life with long COVID. We further measure the extent to which clinical intermediates may explain relationships between social variables and quality of life with long COVID.

FINDINGS: Beyond age, neuropsychological and rheumatological comorbidities, educational attainment, employment status, and female sex were important predictors of long COVID-associated quality of life days (long COVID QALDs). Furthermore, most of their associations could not be attributed to key long COVID-predicting comorbidities. In Norway, 90% (95% CI: 77%, 100%) of the adjusted association between belonging to the top two quintiles of educational attainment and long COVID QALDs was not explained by these clinical intermediates. The same was true for 86% (73%, 100%) and 93% (80%,100%) of the adjusted association between full-time employment and long COVID QALDs in the United Kingdom (UK) and Russia. Additionally, 77% (46%,100%) and 73% (52%, 94%) of the adjusted associations between female sex and long COVID QALDs in Norway and the UK were unexplained by the clinical mediators.

INTERPRETATION: Our findings highlight that socio-economic proxies and sex are key predictors of long COVID QALDs and that other (non-clinical) mechanisms drive their observed relationships. Importantly, we outline a multi-method, adaptable causal approach for evaluating the isolated contributions of social disparities to experiences with long COVID.

FUNDING: UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office; Wellcome Trust; Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; Oxford COVID-19 Research Response Funding; UK National Institute for Health and Care Research; UK Medical Research Council; Public Health England; Liverpool Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre; Research Council of Norway; Vivaldi Invest A/S; South Eastern Norway Health Authority.},
}

@article {pmid39039531,
year = {2024},
author = {Laestadius, LI and Guidry, JPD and Wahl, MM and Perrin, PB and Carlyle, KE and Dong, X and Gharbo, R and Campos-Castillo, C},
title = {Correction: "The dream is that there's one place you go": a qualitative study of women's experiences seeking care from Long COVID clinics in the USA.},
journal = {BMC medicine},
volume = {22},
number = {1},
pages = {305},
pmid = {39039531},
issn = {1741-7015},
}

@article {pmid39039269,
year = {2024},
author = {Prasanth, MI and Wannigama, DL and Reiersen, AM and Thitilertdecha, P and Prasansuklab, A and Tencomnao, T and Brimson, S and Brimson, JM},
title = {Author Correction: A systematic review and meta-analysis, investigating dose and time of fluvoxamine treatment efficacy for COVID-19 clinical deterioration, death, and Long-COVID complications.},
journal = {Scientific reports},
volume = {14},
number = {1},
pages = {16774},
doi = {10.1038/s41598-024-67936-4},
pmid = {39039269},
issn = {2045-2322},
}

@article {pmid39038980,
year = {2024},
author = {Velásquez, EE and Kamdar, NS and Rehkopf, DH and Saydah, S and Bull-Otterson, L and Hao, S and Vala, A and Chu, I and Bazemore, AW and Phillips, RL and Boehmer, T},
title = {Post-COVID Conditions in US Primary Care: A PRIME Registry Comparison of Patients With COVID-19, Influenza-Like Illness, and Wellness Visits.},
journal = {Annals of family medicine},
volume = {22},
number = {4},
pages = {279-287},
doi = {10.1370/afm.3131},
pmid = {39038980},
issn = {1544-1717},
mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/epidemiology ; Male ; *Registries ; Female ; United States/epidemiology ; *Primary Health Care/statistics & numerical data ; Middle Aged ; *Influenza, Human/epidemiology ; Adult ; *SARS-CoV-2 ; Aged ; Prevalence ; Chronic Disease/epidemiology ; },
abstract = {PURPOSE: COVID-19 is a condition that can lead to other chronic conditions. These conditions are frequently diagnosed in the primary care setting. We used a novel primary care registry to quantify the burden of post-COVID conditions among adult patients with a COVID-19 diagnosis across the United States.

METHODS: We used the American Family Cohort, a national primary care registry, to identify study patients. After propensity score matching, we assessed the prevalence of 17 condition categories individually and cumulatively, comparing patients having COVID-19 in 2020-2021 with (1) historical control patients having influenza-like illness in 2018 and (2) contemporaneous control patients seen for wellness or preventive visits in 2020-2021.

RESULTS: We identified 28,215 patients with a COVID-19 diagnosis and 235,953 historical control patients with influenza-like illness. The COVID-19 group had higher prevalences of breathing difficulties (4.2% vs 1.9%), type 2 diabetes (12.0% vs 10.2%), fatigue (3.9% vs 2.2%), and sleep disturbances (3.5% vs 2.4%). There were no differences, however, in the postdiagnosis monthly trend in cumulative morbidity between the COVID-19 patients (trend = 0.026; 95% CI, 0.025-0.027) and the patients with influenza-like illness (trend = 0.026; 95% CI, 0.023-0.027). Relative to contemporaneous wellness control patients, COVID-19 patients had higher prevalences of breathing difficulties and type 2 diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show a moderate burden of post-COVID conditions in primary care, including breathing difficulties, fatigue, and sleep disturbances. Based on clinical registry data, the prevalence of post-COVID conditions in primary care practices is lower than that reported in subspecialty and hospital settings.},
}

Humans
*COVID-19/epidemiology
Male
*Registries
Female
United States/epidemiology
*Primary Health Care/statistics & numerical data
Middle Aged
*Influenza, Human/epidemiology
Adult
*SARS-CoV-2
Aged
Prevalence
Chronic Disease/epidemiology

@article {pmid39038507,
year = {2024},
author = {Wesley, UV and Dempsey, RJ},
title = {Neuro-molecular perspectives on long COVID-19 impacted cerebrovascular diseases - a role for dipeptidyl peptidase IV.},
journal = {Experimental neurology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {114890},
doi = {10.1016/j.expneurol.2024.114890},
pmid = {39038507},
issn = {1090-2430},
abstract = {The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused immense devastation globally with many outcomes that are now extending to its long-term sequel called long COVID. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infects not only lungs, but also the brain and heart in association with endothelial cell dysfunction, coagulation abnormalities, and thrombosis leading to cardio-cerebrovascular health issues. Fatigue, cognitive decline, and brain fog are common neurological symptoms in persisting long COVID. Neurodegenerative processes and SARS-CoV-2 infection manifest overlapping molecular mechanisms, such as cytokine dysregulation, inflammation, protein aggregation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative stress. Identifying the key molecules in these processes is of importance for prevention and treatment of this disease. In particular, Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPPIV), a multifunctional peptidase has recently drawn attention as a potential co-receptor for SARS-CoV-2 infection and cellular entry. DPPIV is a known co-receptor for some other COVID viruses including MERS-Co-V. DPPIV regulates the immune responses, obesity, glucose metabolism, diabetes, and hypertension that are associated with cerebrovascular manifestations including stroke. DPPIV likely worsens persisting COVID-19 by disrupting inflammatory signaling pathways and the neurovascular system. This review highlights the neurological, cellular and molecular processes concerning long COVID, and DPPIV as a potential key factor contributing to cerebrovascular dysfunctions following SARS-CoV-2 infection.},
}

@article {pmid39037494,
year = {2024},
author = {Boruch, A and Branchaw, G and O'Connor, PJ and Cook, DB},
title = {Physical Activity and Fatigue Symptoms: Neurotypical Adults and People with Chronic Multisymptom Illnesses.},
journal = {Current topics in behavioral neurosciences},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1007/7854_2024_502},
pmid = {39037494},
issn = {1866-3370},
abstract = {For neurotypical adults, a single bout of low-to-moderate intensity physical activity usually transiently improves feelings of energy. Similar bouts of exercise have the opposite effect of increased feelings of fatigue when performed by samples with chronic multisymptom illnesses (CMIs) such as Long-COVID, Gulf War Illness (GWI), or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). The short-term adoption of regular moderate intensity physical activity (typical experiments are 1 to 6 months) among neurotypical adults results in small-to-moderate improvements in self-reported feelings of fatigue, energy, and vitality. Small improvements in these feelings, or no change at all, occur for CMIs, but limited data precludes strong conclusions. The mechanisms of exercise effects on fatigue, whether acute or chronic, are poorly understood but likely involve multiple neural circuits and associated transmitters. For CMIs, the mechanisms of acute worsening of fatigue with exercise may be driven by the yet unknown pathophysiological mechanisms of the disease (perhaps involving brain, immune and autonomic system dysfunction, and their interactions). Likewise, fatigue improvements may depend on whether chronic physical activity is a disease-modifying treatment.},
}

@article {pmid39037125,
year = {2024},
author = {Zerón-Rugerio, MF and Zaragozá, MC and Domingo, JC and Sanmartín-Sentañes, R and Alegre-Martin, J and Castro-Marrero, J and Cambras, T},
title = {Sleep and circadian rhythm alterations in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome and post-COVID fatigue syndrome and its association with cardiovascular risk factors: A prospective cohort study.},
journal = {Chronobiology international},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {1-12},
doi = {10.1080/07420528.2024.2380020},
pmid = {39037125},
issn = {1525-6073},
abstract = {This study aimed to investigate circadian rhythm manifestations in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) patients (including a subpopulation of long-COVID patients) and matched healthy controls while also exploring their association with cardiovascular health variables. Thirty-one ME/CFS patients (75% females), 23 individuals diagnosed with post-COVID ME/CFS (56% females) and 31 matched healthy controls (68% females) were enrolled in this study. Demographic and clinical characteristics were assessed using validated self-reported outcome measures. Actigraphy data, collected over one week, were used to analyze the 24-h profiles of wrist temperature, motor activity, and sleep circadian variables in the study participants. Associations between lipid profile with endothelial dysfunction biomarkers (such as endothelin-1, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1) and with sleep and circadian variables were also studied. No differences were found in these variables between the two group of patients. Patients showed lower activity and worse sleep quality than matched healthy controls, together with a worse lipid profile than controls, that was associated with disturbances in the circadian temperature rhythm. ICAM-1 levels were associated with plasma lipids in healthy controls, but not in patients, who showed higher levels of endothelin-1 and VCAM-1. These findings suggest that lipid profiles in ME/CFS are linked to disrupted circadian rhythms and sleep patterns, likely due to endothelial dysfunction. Furthermore, they highlight the intricate relationship between sleep, circadian rhythms, and cardiovascular health in this condition.},
}

@article {pmid39036098,
year = {2024},
author = {Carmona-Cervelló, M and León-Gómez, BB and Dacosta-Aguayo, R and Lamonja-Vicente, N and Montero-Alía, P and Molist, G and Ayet, A and Chacón, C and Costa-Garrido, A and López-Lifante, VM and Zamora-Putin, V and Liutsko, L and García-Sierra, R and Fornés, A and Moreno-Gabriel, E and Massanella, M and Muñoz-Moreno, JA and Rodríguez-Pérez, MC and Mateu, L and Prats, A and Mataró, M and Boigues, M and Quirant, B and Prado, JG and Martínez-Cáceres, E and Violán, C and Torán-Monserrat, P and , },
title = {Long COVID: cognitive, balance, and retina manifestations.},
journal = {Frontiers in medicine},
volume = {11},
number = {},
pages = {1399145},
pmid = {39036098},
issn = {2296-858X},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: The neurological symptoms of Long COVID (LC) and the impact of neuropsychological manifestations on people's daily lives have been extensively described. Although a large body of literature describes symptoms, validating this with objective measures is important. This study aims to identify and describe the effects of Long COVID on cognition, balance, and the retinal fundus, and determine whether the duration of symptoms influences cognitive impairment.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved LC volunteers with cognitive complaint from public health centers in northern Barcelona who participated between January 2022 and March 2023. This study collected sociodemographic characteristics, information on substance use, comorbidities, and clinical data related to COVID-19. We measured five cognitive domains using a battery of neuropsychological tests. Balance was assessed through posturography and retinal vascular involvement by retinography.

RESULTS: A total of 166 people with LC and cognitive complaints participated, 80.72% were women and mean age was 49.28 ± 8.39 years. The most common self-reported symptoms were concentration and memory deficit (98.80%), brain fog (82.53%) and insomnia (71.17%). The 68.67% presented cognitive deficit in at least one domain, with executive functions being the most frequent (43.98%). The 51.52% of the participants exhibited a dysfunctional pattern in balance, and 9.2% showed some alteration in the retina. There were no statistically significant differences between cognitive impairment and symptom duration.

CONCLUSION: Our findings contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the pathology associated with Long COVID. They highlight the diversity of self-reported symptoms, the presence of abnormal balance patterns, and some cognitive impairment. These findings underscore the necessity of addressing the clinical management of this condition in primary care through follow-up and the pursuit of multidisciplinary and comprehensive treatment.},
}

@article {pmid39035011,
year = {2024},
author = {Notarte, KI and Carandang, THDC and Velasco, JV and Pastrana, A and Ver, AT and Manalo, GN and Ng, JA and Grecia, S and Lippi, G and Henry, BM and Fernández-de-Las-Peñas, C},
title = {Autoantibodies in COVID-19 survivors with post-COVID symptoms: a systematic review.},
journal = {Frontiers in immunology},
volume = {15},
number = {},
pages = {1428645},
pmid = {39035011},
issn = {1664-3224},
mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/immunology ; *Autoantibodies/immunology/blood ; *SARS-CoV-2/immunology ; *Survivors ; },
abstract = {OBJECTIVE: The long-lasting persistence of autoantibodies stands as one of the hypotheses explaining the multisystemic manifestations seen in individuals with post-COVID-19 condition. The current review offers restricted insights into the persistence of autoantibodies in plasma/serum in people with post-COVID symptoms.

METHODS: PubMed/MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases, as well as on medRxiv and bioRxiv preprint servers were searched up to January 5[th], 2024. Papers investigating the presence of autoantibodies in plasma/serum samples in people with post-COVID symptoms were included. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used to assess methodological quality.

RESULTS: From 162 identified records, five articles met all inclusion criteria; four studies included infected controls with no post-COVID symptoms whereas all five studies included non-infected controls (410 COVID-19 survivors with post-COVID symptoms, 223 COVID-19 survivors with no post-COVID symptoms as controls and 266 non-infected healthy controls). Four studies concluded that the presence of autoantibodies had a potential (but small) role in post-COVID-19 condition whereas one study concluded that autoantibodies were not associated. Quality assessment showed all studies had high methodological quality.

CONCLUSION: Although evidence suggests that persistent autoantibodies can be associated with post-COVID symptoms, the clinical relevance of their presence seems modest at this stage. Current results highlight further research to clarify the role of autoantibodies in the development of post-COVID symptoms, guiding the development of tailored diagnostic and treatment approaches to enhance patient outcomes.

https://osf.io/vqz28.},
}

Humans
*COVID-19/immunology
*Autoantibodies/immunology/blood
*SARS-CoV-2/immunology
*Survivors

@article {pmid39034937,
year = {2024},
author = {Kozłowski, P and Leszczyńska, A and Ciepiela, O},
title = {Long COVID Definition, Symptoms, Risk Factors, Epidemiology and Autoimmunity: A Narrative Review.},
journal = {American journal of medicine open},
volume = {11},
number = {},
pages = {100068},
pmid = {39034937},
issn = {2667-0364},
abstract = {The virus called SARS-CoV-2 emerged in 2019 and quickly spread worldwide, causing COVID-19. It has greatly impacted on everyday life, healthcare systems, and the global economy. In order to save as many lives as possible, precautions such as social distancing, quarantine, and testing policies were implemented, and effective vaccines were developed. A growing amount of data collected worldwide allowed the characterization of this new disease, which turned out to be more complex than other common respiratory tract infections. An increasing number of convalescents presented with a variety of nonspecific symptoms emerging after the acute infection. This possible new global health problem was identified and labelled as long COVID. Since then, a great effort has been made by clinicians and the scientific community to understand the underlying mechanisms and to develop preventive measures and effective treatment. The role of autoimmunity induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection in the development of long COVID is discussed in this review. We aim to deliver a description of several conditions with an autoimmune background observed in COVID-19 convalescents, including Guillain-Barré syndrome, antiphospholipid syndrome and related thrombosis, and Kawasaki disease highlighting a relationship between SARS-CoV-2 infection and the development of autoimmunity. However, further studies are required to determine its true clinical significance.},
}

@article {pmid39034480,
year = {2024},
author = {Hyland, ME and Antonacci, Y and Bacon, AM},
title = {Comparison of the symptom networks of long-COVID and chronic fatigue syndrome: From modularity to connectionism.},
journal = {Scandinavian journal of psychology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/sjop.13060},
pmid = {39034480},
issn = {1467-9450},
abstract = {The objective was to compare the symptom networks of long-COVID and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) in conjunction with other theoretically relevant diagnoses in order to provide insight into the etiology of medically unexplained symptoms (MUS). This was a cross-sectional comparison of questionnaire items between six groups identified by clinical diagnosis. All participants completed a 65-item psychological and somatic symptom questionnaire (GSQ065). Diagnostically labelled groups were long-COVID (N = 107), CFS (N = 254), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS, N = 369), fibromyalgia (N = 1,127), severe asthma (N = 100) and healthy group (N = 207). The 22 symptoms that best discriminated between the six groups were selected for network analysis. Connectivity, fragmentation and number of symptom clusters (statistically related symptoms) were assessed. Compared to long-COVID, the symptom networks of CFS, IBS and fibromyalgia had significantly lower connectivity, greater fragmentation and more symptom clusters. The number of clusters varied between 9 for CFS and 3 for severe asthma, and the content of clusters varied across all groups. Of the 33 symptom clusters identified over the six groups 30 clusters were unique. Although the symptom networks of long-COVID and CFS differ, the variation of cluster content across the six groups is inconsistent with a modular causal structure but consistent with a connectionist (network, parallel distributed processing) biological basis of MUS. A connectionist structure would explain why symptoms overlap and merge between different functional somatic syndromes, the failure to discover a biological diagnostic test and how psychological and behavioral interventions are therapeutic.},
}

@article {pmid39033016,
year = {2024},
author = {Twycross, A and Barnard, M},
title = {Patient-centred approaches are key to improving Long Covid healthcare access.},
journal = {Evidence-based nursing},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1136/ebnurs-2024-104070},
pmid = {39033016},
issn = {1468-9618},
}

@article {pmid39032365,
year = {2024},
author = {Allen, SF and van der Feltz-Cornelis, CM},
title = {Social pain. Comment on 'Environmental factors and their impact on chronic pain development and maintenance' by Morena Brazil Sant'Anna, Louise Faggionato Kimura, Willians Fernando Vieira, Vanessa Olzon Zambelli, Leonardo Santana Novaes, Natália Gabriele Hösch, Gisele Picolo.},
journal = {Physics of life reviews},
volume = {50},
number = {},
pages = {120-122},
doi = {10.1016/j.plrev.2024.07.004},
pmid = {39032365},
issn = {1873-1457},
}

@article {pmid39031491,
year = {2024},
author = {Greenhalgh, T and Darbyshire, J and Ladds, E and Van Dael, J and Rayner, C},
title = {Working knowledge, uncertainty and ontological politics: An ethnography of UK long covid clinics.},
journal = {Sociology of health & illness},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/1467-9566.13819},
pmid = {39031491},
issn = {1467-9566},
support = {COV-LT-0016//National Institute for Health and Care Research/ ; },
abstract = {Long covid (persistent COVID-19) is a new disease with contested aetiology and variable prognosis. We report a 2-year ethnography of UK long covid clinics. Using a preformative lens, we show that multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) built working knowledge based on shared practices, mutual trust, distributed cognition (e.g. emails, record entries), relational knowledge of what was at stake for the patient, and harnessing uncertainty to open new discursive spaces. Most long covid MDTs performed the working knowledge of 'rehabilitation', a linked set of practices oriented to ensuring that the patient understood and strove to 'correct' maladaptive physiological responses (e.g. through breathing exercises) and pursued recovery goals, supported by physiotherapists, psychologists and generalist clinicians. Some MDTs with a higher proportion of doctors (e.g. cardiologists, neurologists, immunologists) enacted the working knowledge of 'microscopic damage', seeking to elucidate and rectify long covid's underlying molecular and cellular pathology. They justified non-standard investigations and medication in selected patients by co-constructing an evidentiary narrative based on biological mechanisms. Working knowledge was ontologically concordant within MDTs but sometimes discordant between MDTs. Overt ontological conflict occurred mostly when patients attending 'rehabilitation' clinics invoked the working knowledge of microscopic damage that had been generated and circulated in online support communities.},
}

@article {pmid39029889,
year = {2024},
author = {Wouter Beugelink, J and Hóf, H and Janssen, BJC},
title = {CRTAC1 has a compact β-propeller-TTR core stabilized by potassium ions.},
journal = {Journal of molecular biology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {168712},
doi = {10.1016/j.jmb.2024.168712},
pmid = {39029889},
issn = {1089-8638},
abstract = {Cartilage acidic protein-1 (CRTAC1) is a secreted glycoprotein with roles in development, function and repair of the nervous system. It is linked to ischemic stroke, osteoarthritis and (long) COVID outcomes, and has suppressive activity in carcinoma and bladder cancer. Structural characterization of CRTAC1 has been complicated by its tendency to form disulfide-linked aggregates. Here, we show that CRTAC1 is stabilized by potassium ions. Using x-ray crystallography, we determined the structure of CRTAC1 to 1.6 Å. This reveals that the protein consists of a three-domain fold, including a previously-unreported compact β-propeller-TTR combination, in which an extended loop of the TTR plugs the β-propeller core. Electron density is observed for ten bound ions: six calcium, three potassium and one sodium. Low potassium ion concentrations lead to changes in tryptophan environment and exposure of two buried free cysteines located on a β-blade and in the β-propeller-plugging TTR loop. Mutating the two free cysteines to serines prevents covalent intermolecular interactions, but not aggregation, in absence of potassium ions. The potassium ion binding sites are located between the blades of the β-propeller, explaining their importance for the stability of the CRTAC1 fold. Despite varying in sequence, the three potassium ion binding sites are structurally similar and conserved features of the CRTAC protein family. These insights into the stability and structure of CRTAC1 provide a basis for further work into the function of CRTAC1 in health and disease.},
}

@article {pmid39029739,
year = {2024},
author = {Nugent, K and Berdine, G},
title = {Dyspnea and long COVID patients.},
journal = {The American journal of the medical sciences},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.amjms.2024.07.024},
pmid = {39029739},
issn = {1538-2990},
abstract = {Patients with prior COVID-19 infections often develop chronic post-COVID symptoms, such as fatigue and dyspnea. Some patients have residual pulmonary disorders with abnormal pulmonary function tests and/or chest radiographs to explain their dyspnea. However, other patients appear to have dyspnea that is out of proportion to any measurable change in lung function. Some of these patients have abnormal cardiopulmonary exercise testing with definite cardiac or respiratory limits. However, others have normal cardiopulmonary exercise testing based on VO2 measurement but pronounced dyspnea during this testing. These patients often have abnormal respiratory patterns, referred to as dysfunctional breathing, with irregular and variable respiratory rates and/or tidal volumes. Consequently, their control of breathing is impaired, and this may represent residual effects from prior COVID-19 infection involving the central nervous system. Alternatively, patients may have acquired "a memory" of respiratory symptoms during their infection which persists post-infection. These patients should participate in pulmonary rehabilitation and breathing retraining.},
}

@article {pmid39028694,
year = {2024},
author = {Leibel, SL and McVicar, RN and Murad, R and Kwong, EM and Clark, AE and Alvarado, A and Grimmig, BA and Nuryyev, R and Young, RE and Lee, JC and Peng, W and Zhu, YP and Griffis, E and Nowell, CJ and James, B and Alarcon, S and Malhotra, A and Gearing, LJ and Hertzog, PJ and Galapate, CM and Galenkamp, KMO and Commisso, C and Smith, DM and Sun, X and Carlin, AF and Sidman, RL and Croker, BA and Snyder, EY},
title = {A therapy for suppressing canonical and noncanonical SARS-CoV-2 viral entry and an intrinsic intrapulmonary inflammatory response.},
journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America},
volume = {121},
number = {30},
pages = {e2408109121},
doi = {10.1073/pnas.2408109121},
pmid = {39028694},
issn = {1091-6490},
support = {DISC2COVID19-12022//California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM)/ ; 3R01CA207189-05S1//HHS | NIH | National Cancer Institute (NCI)/ ; AI036214//HHS | NIH | National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)/ ; },
mesh = {Humans ; *SARS-CoV-2/physiology/immunology ; *COVID-19/immunology/virology ; *Lung/virology/immunology/pathology ; *Virus Internalization ; *Organoids/virology ; COVID-19 Drug Treatment ; Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells/virology ; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2/metabolism ; Inflammation ; Cytokines/metabolism ; Apoptosis ; },
abstract = {The prevalence of "long COVID" is just one of the conundrums highlighting how little we know about the lung's response to viral infection, particularly to syndromecoronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), for which the lung is the point of entry. We used an in vitro human lung system to enable a prospective, unbiased, sequential single-cell level analysis of pulmonary cell responses to infection by multiple SARS-CoV-2 strains. Starting with human induced pluripotent stem cells and emulating lung organogenesis, we generated and infected three-dimensional, multi-cell-type-containing lung organoids (LOs) and gained several unexpected insights. First, SARS-CoV-2 tropism is much broader than previously believed: Many lung cell types are infectable, if not through a canonical receptor-mediated route (e.g., via Angiotensin-converting encyme 2(ACE2)) then via a noncanonical "backdoor" route (via macropinocytosis, a form of endocytosis). Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved endocytosis blockers can abrogate such entry, suggesting adjunctive therapies. Regardless of the route of entry, the virus triggers a lung-autonomous, pulmonary epithelial cell-intrinsic, innate immune response involving interferons and cytokine/chemokine production in the absence of hematopoietic derivatives. The virus can spread rapidly throughout human LOs resulting in mitochondrial apoptosis mediated by the prosurvival protein Bcl-xL. This host cytopathic response to the virus may help explain persistent inflammatory signatures in a dysfunctional pulmonary environment of long COVID. The host response to the virus is, in significant part, dependent on pulmonary Surfactant Protein-B, which plays an unanticipated role in signal transduction, viral resistance, dampening of systemic inflammatory cytokine production, and minimizing apoptosis. Exogenous surfactant, in fact, can be broadly therapeutic.},
}

Humans
*SARS-CoV-2/physiology/immunology
*COVID-19/immunology/virology
*Lung/virology/immunology/pathology
*Virus Internalization
*Organoids/virology
COVID-19 Drug Treatment
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells/virology
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2/metabolism
Inflammation
Cytokines/metabolism
Apoptosis

@article {pmid39027374,
year = {2024},
author = {Hurler, L and Mescia, F and Bergamaschi, L and , and Kajdácsi, E and Sinkovits, G and Cervenak, L and Prohászka, Z and Lyons, PA and Toonen, EJM},
title = {sMR and PTX3 levels associate with COVID-19 outcome and survival but not with Long COVID.},
journal = {iScience},
volume = {27},
number = {7},
pages = {110162},
pmid = {39027374},
issn = {2589-0042},
abstract = {Biomarkers for monitoring COVID-19 disease course are lacking. Study aim was to identify biomarkers associated with disease severity, survival, long-term outcome, and Long COVID. As excessive macrophages activation is a hallmark of COVID-19 and complement activation is key in this, we selected the following proteins involved in these processes: PTX3, C1q, C1-INH, C1s/C1-INH, and sMR. EDTA-plasma concentrations were measured in 215 patients and 47 controls using ELISA. PTX3, sMR, C1-INH, and C1s/C1-INH levels were associated with disease severity. PTX3 and sMR were also associated with survival and long-term immune recovery. Lastly, sMR levels associate with ICU admittance. sMR (AUC 0.85) and PTX3 (AUC 0.78) are good markers for disease severity, especially when used in combination (AUC 0.88). No association between biomarker levels and Long COVID was observed. sMR has not previously been associated with COVID-19 disease severity, ICU admittance or survival and may serve as marker for disease course.},
}

@article {pmid39027081,
year = {2024},
author = {Deng, S and Yin, M and Chen, Z and Deng, J and Wang, Z and Li, Y and Lyu, M and Zhang, B and Zhu, S and Hu, S and Nassis, GP and Li, Y},
title = {SARS-CoV-2 infection decreases cardiorespiratory fitness and time-trial performance even two months after returning to regular training - Insights from a longitudinal case series of well-trained kayak athletes.},
journal = {Journal of exercise science and fitness},
volume = {22},
number = {4},
pages = {350-358},
pmid = {39027081},
issn = {1728-869X},
abstract = {OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to examine the effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection on cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and time-trial performance in vaccinated well-trained young kayak athletes.

METHODS: This is a longitudinal observational study. Sixteen (7 male, 9 female) vaccinated kayakers underwent body composition assessment, maximal graded exercise test, and 1000-m time-trial tests 21.9 ± 1.7 days before and 66.0 ± 2.2 days after the SARS-CoV-2 infection. The perception of training load was quantified with Borg's CR-10 scale before and after the infection return to sport period.

RESULTS: There were significant decreases in peak oxygen uptake (-9.7 %; effect size [ES] = 1.38), peak oxygen pulse (-5.7 %; ES = 0.96), and peak heart rate (-1.9 %; ES = 0.61). Peak minute ventilation, and minute ventilation/carbon dioxide production slope were unchanged after infection compared to the pre-infection values. In the entire 1000-m, the impaired tendencies were found in completion time, mean power, and mean speed (-2.4 to 1.2 %; small ESs = -0.40 to 0.47) as well as significant changes in stroke rate and stroke length (-4.5 to 3.7 %; ESs = -0.60 to 0.73).

CONCLUSION: SARS-CoV-2 infection decreased CRF and time-trial performance even two months after return to regular training in vaccinated athletes.},
}

@article {pmid39026549,
year = {2024},
author = {Grippo, F and Minelli, G and Crialesi, R and Marchetti, S and Pricci, F and Onder, G},
title = {Deaths related to post-COVID in Italy: a national study based on death certificates.},
journal = {Frontiers in medicine},
volume = {11},
number = {},
pages = {1401602},
pmid = {39026549},
issn = {2296-858X},
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: SARS-CoV-2 infection has been associated with the onset or persistence of symptoms in the long-term after the acute infection is resolved. This condition known as Post-COVID, might be particularly severe and potentially life-threatening. However, little is known on the impact of post-COVID condition on mortality. Aim of the present study is to assess and quantify Post-COVID deaths in Italy in years 2020 and 2021, based on an analysis of death certificates.

METHODS: Data from the Italian National Cause of Death Register were analyzed. ICD-10 code U09.9, released by the World Health Organization in September 2020, was used to identify the 'Post-COVID' condition. Numbers of post-COVID deaths from October 2020 to December 2021 were analyzed. Rates of post-COVID deaths were calculated for the year 2021.

RESULTS: Between October 2020 and December 2021, 4,752 death certificates reporting post-COVID condition were identified. Of these, 14.9% (n = 706) occurred between October and December 2020 and 85.1% (n = 4,046) in 2021. In 46.0% of post-COVID-related deaths, the underlying cause of death was COVID-19. Other frequent underlying causes were heart disease (14.3% of cases), neoplasms (9.2%), cerebrovascular diseases (6.3%) and Alzheimer's disease and other dementias (5.5%). The mortality rate related to post-COVID conditions in year 2021 was 5.1 deaths per 100 thousand inhabitants and it increased with increasing age. Men showed a higher mortality rate than women (4.3 deaths per 100 thousand in women and 6.0 deaths per 100 thousand in men).

DISCUSSION: Post-COVID conditions contributed to a substantial number of deaths in Italy. Strategies to identify the population at risk of severe long-term consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection and interventions aimed at reducing this risk must be developed.},
}

@article {pmid39026070,
year = {2024},
author = {Kudiabor, H},
title = {Long COVID lung damage linked to immune system response.},
journal = {Nature},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {39026070},
issn = {1476-4687},
}

@article {pmid39025516,
year = {2024},
author = {Soriano, JB and Ancochea, J},
title = {Murder, she wrote: a long story on long COVID is being written.},
journal = {The European respiratory journal},
volume = {64},
number = {1},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1183/13993003.00916-2024},
pmid = {39025516},
issn = {1399-3003},
mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/epidemiology ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Homicide ; Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome ; Female ; },
}

Humans
*COVID-19/epidemiology
SARS-CoV-2
Homicide
Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome
Female

@article {pmid39025107,
year = {2024},
author = {Oliveira, DN and Tavares-Júnior, JWL and Feitosa, WLQ and Cunha, LCV and Gomes, CMP and Moreira-Nunes, CA and Silva, JBSD and Sousa, AVM and Gaspar, SB and Sobreira, EST and Oliveira, LLB and Montenegro, RC and Moraes, MEA and Sobreira-Neto, MA and Braga-Neto, P},
title = {Long-COVID olfactory dysfunction: allele E4 of apolipoprotein E as a possible protective factor.},
journal = {Arquivos de neuro-psiquiatria},
volume = {82},
number = {9},
pages = {1-7},
doi = {10.1055/s-0044-1788272},
pmid = {39025107},
issn = {1678-4227},
mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/complications ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; *Olfaction Disorders/genetics ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; *Alleles ; Apolipoprotein E4/genetics ; Aged ; Adult ; Protective Factors ; Apolipoproteins E/genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Genotype ; Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Olfactory dysfunction (OD) represents a frequent manifestation of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Apolipoprotein E (APOE) is a protein that interacts with the angiotensin-converting enzyme receptor, essential for viral entry into the cell. Previous publications have suggested a possible role of APOE in COVID-19 severity. As far as we know, no publications found significant associations between this disease's severity, OD, and APOE polymorphisms (E2, E3, and E4).

OBJECTIVE:  To analyze the epidemiology of OD and its relationship with APOE polymorphisms in a cohort of Long-COVID patients.

METHODS:  We conducted a prospective cohort study with patients followed in a post-COVID neurological outpatient clinic, with OD being defined as a subjective reduction of olfactory function after infection, and persistent OD being defined when the complaint lasted more than 3 months after the COVID-19 infection resolution. This cross-sectional study is part of a large research with previously reported data focusing on the cognitive performance of our sample.

RESULTS:  The final sample comprised 221 patients, among whom 186 collected blood samples for APOE genotyping. The persistent OD group was younger and had a lower hospitalization rate during the acute phase of the disease (p < 0.001). Furthermore, the APOE variant E4 allele frequency was lower in this group (p = 0.035). This study evaluated OD in an outpatient population with COVID-19. In the current literature on this disease, anosmia is associated with better clinical outcomes and the E4 allele is associated with worse outcomes.

CONCLUSION:  Our study provides new information to these correlations, suggesting APOE E4 as a protective factor for OD.},
}

Humans
*COVID-19/complications
Male
Female
Middle Aged
Prospective Studies
*Olfaction Disorders/genetics
Cross-Sectional Studies
*Alleles
Apolipoprotein E4/genetics
Aged
Adult
Protective Factors
Apolipoproteins E/genetics
Polymorphism, Genetic
SARS-CoV-2
Genotype
Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome

@article {pmid39024001,
year = {2024},
author = {Benny, D and Giacobini, M and Catalano, A and Costa, G and Gnavi, R and Ricceri, F},
title = {A Multimorbidity Analysis of Hospitalized Patients With COVID-19 in Northwest Italy: Longitudinal Study Using Evolutionary Machine Learning and Health Administrative Data.},
journal = {JMIR public health and surveillance},
volume = {10},
number = {},
pages = {e52353},
doi = {10.2196/52353},
pmid = {39024001},
issn = {2369-2960},
mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/epidemiology ; *Multimorbidity ; *Machine Learning ; Italy/epidemiology ; Male ; Female ; Aged ; *Hospitalization/statistics & numerical data ; Middle Aged ; Longitudinal Studies ; Aged, 80 and over ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Multimorbidity is a significant public health concern, characterized by the coexistence and interaction of multiple preexisting medical conditions. This complex condition has been associated with an increased risk of COVID-19. Individuals with multimorbidity who contract COVID-19 often face a significant reduction in life expectancy. The postpandemic period has also highlighted an increase in frailty, emphasizing the importance of integrating existing multimorbidity details into epidemiological risk assessments. Managing clinical data that include medical histories presents significant challenges, particularly due to the sparsity of data arising from the rarity of multimorbidity conditions. Also, the complex enumeration of combinatorial multimorbidity features introduces challenges associated with combinatorial explosions.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess the severity of COVID-19 in individuals with multiple medical conditions, considering their demographic characteristics such as age and sex. We propose an evolutionary machine learning model designed to handle sparsity, analyzing preexisting multimorbidity profiles of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 based on their medical history. Our objective is to identify the optimal set of multimorbidity feature combinations strongly associated with COVID-19 severity. We also apply the Apriori algorithm to these evolutionarily derived predictive feature combinations to identify those with high support.

METHODS: We used data from 3 administrative sources in Piedmont, Italy, involving 12,793 individuals aged 45-74 years who tested positive for COVID-19 between February and May 2020. From their 5-year pre-COVID-19 medical histories, we extracted multimorbidity features, including drug prescriptions, disease diagnoses, sex, and age. Focusing on COVID-19 hospitalization, we segmented the data into 4 cohorts based on age and sex. Addressing data imbalance through random resampling, we compared various machine learning algorithms to identify the optimal classification model for our evolutionary approach. Using 5-fold cross-validation, we evaluated each model's performance. Our evolutionary algorithm, utilizing a deep learning classifier, generated prediction-based fitness scores to pinpoint multimorbidity combinations associated with COVID-19 hospitalization risk. Eventually, the Apriori algorithm was applied to identify frequent combinations with high support.

RESULTS: We identified multimorbidity predictors associated with COVID-19 hospitalization, indicating more severe COVID-19 outcomes. Frequently occurring morbidity features in the final evolved combinations were age>53, R03BA (glucocorticoid inhalants), and N03AX (other antiepileptics) in cohort 1; A10BA (biguanide or metformin) and N02BE (anilides) in cohort 2; N02AX (other opioids) and M04AA (preparations inhibiting uric acid production) in cohort 3; and G04CA (Alpha-adrenoreceptor antagonists) in cohort 4.

CONCLUSIONS: When combined with other multimorbidity features, even less prevalent medical conditions show associations with the outcome. This study provides insights beyond COVID-19, demonstrating how repurposed administrative data can be adapted and contribute to enhanced risk assessment for vulnerable populations.},
}

Humans
*COVID-19/epidemiology
*Multimorbidity
*Machine Learning
Italy/epidemiology
Male
Female
Aged
*Hospitalization/statistics & numerical data
Middle Aged
Longitudinal Studies
Aged, 80 and over

@article {pmid39022666,
year = {2024},
author = {Zheng, C and Chen, JJ and Dai, ZH and Wan, KW and Sun, FH and Huang, JH and Chen, XK},
title = {Physical exercise-related manifestations of long COVID: A systematic review and meta-analysis.},
journal = {Journal of exercise science and fitness},
volume = {22},
number = {4},
pages = {341-349},
pmid = {39022666},
issn = {1728-869X},
abstract = {OBJECTIVE: This study aims to systematically assess physical exercise-related symptoms of post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC or long COVID) in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) survivors.

METHODS: Eight databases were systematically searched on March 03, 2024. Original studies that compared physical exercise-related parameters measured by exercise testing between COVID-19 survivors who recovered from SARS-CoV-2 infection over 3 months and non-COVID-19 controls were included. A random-effects model was utilized to determine the mean differences (MDs) or standardized MDs in the meta-analysis.

RESULTS: A total of 40 studies with 6241 COVID-19 survivors were included. The 6-min walk test, maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), and anaerobic threshold were impaired in COVID-19 survivors 3 months post-infection compared with non-COVID-19 controls in exercise testing, while VO2 were comparable between the two groups at rest. In contrast, no differences were observed in SpO2, heart rate, blood pressure, fatigue, and dyspnea between COVID-19 survivors and non-COVID-19 controls in exercise testing.

CONCLUSION: The findings suggest an underestimation of the manifestations of PASC. COVID-19 survivors also harbor physical exercise-related symptoms of PASC that can be determined by the exercise testing and are distinct from those observed at rest. Exercise testing should be included while evaluating the symptoms of PASC in COVID-19 survivors.},
}

@article {pmid39022434,
year = {2024},
author = {Paramita, N and Santoso, DIS and Nusdwinuringtyas, N and Rasmin, M and Kartinah, NT and Jusman, SWA and Abdullah, M and Tinduh, D and Widjanantie, SC and Harini, M and Sianipar, IR and Nugraha, B and Gutenbrunner, C and Widaty, S},
title = {The Delphi Method: Developing a Telerehabilitation Practice Guideline for Patients in Indonesia with Long COVID.},
journal = {International journal of telerehabilitation},
volume = {16},
number = {1},
pages = {e6610},
pmid = {39022434},
issn = {1945-2020},
abstract = {Telerehabilitation has the potential to help expand the reach of rehabilitation intervention. An online questionnaire-based Delphi method set out to develop a telerehabilitation guideline for patients in Indonesia with Long COVID. A Delphi panel comprised of 24 experts was selected from all relevant disciplines. Over two rounds of Delphi testing, panelists gave opinions and indicated their level of agreement with each recommendation. Key elements of consensus for a telerehabilitation guideline for patients with Long COVID includes: the benefit of telerehabilitation, types of rehabilitation intervention needed, methods of intervention, criteria for home-based self-exercise training, set-up of rehabilitation prescription, exercise monitoring, evaluation of rehabilitation intervention and duration of rehabilitation intervention. Further research is needed to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of this guideline.},
}

@article {pmid39022343,
year = {2024},
author = {Porntharukchareon, T and Dechates, B and Sirisreetreerux, S and Therawit, P and Tawinprai, K},
title = {The existence of adrenal insufficiency in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia.},
journal = {Frontiers in endocrinology},
volume = {15},
number = {},
pages = {1337652},
pmid = {39022343},
issn = {1664-2392},
mesh = {Humans ; Female ; *COVID-19/complications/epidemiology/blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; *Adrenal Insufficiency/epidemiology/blood ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Aged ; *Hydrocortisone/blood ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Adult ; Prevalence ; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone/blood ; },
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Infection with SARS-CoV-2 virus may result in long COVID, a syndrome characterized by symptoms such as dyspnea, cardiac abnormalities, cognitive impairment, and fatigue. One potential explanation for these symptoms is hypocortisolism.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of hypocortisolism in patients with a history of COVID-19 pneumonia.

METHODS: Cross-sectional study of patients who were aged ≥18 years and had a 3-month history of radiography-confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia. Exclusion criteria included current or previous treatment with glucocorticoids and use of an oral contraceptive. Adrenal function was evaluated using a low dose (1ug) corticotropin stimulation test (CST). Serum cortisol levels were measured at 0, 30, and 60 minutes, and baseline plasma ACTH was also measured.

RESULTS: Of the 41 patients enrolled, the median age was 62 years, 17 (42%) were female, and all 41 (100%) had severe pneumonia at baseline. Eleven patients (27%) had hypocortisolism, as evidenced by peak cortisol of less than 402.81 nmol/l after low dose (1 µg) CST. Of these 11 patients, 10 (91%) had secondary hypocortisolism (median ACTH 6.27 pmol/L, range 4.98-9.95 pmol/L) and one had primary hypocortisolism (mean ACTH 32.78 pmol/L). Six of the 11 patients with hypocortisolism (54.5%) reported symptoms of persistent fatigue and 5 (45.5%) required regular glucocorticoid replacement.

CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that hypocortisolism, predominantly caused by pituitary disruption, may emerge after SARS-CoV-2 infection and should be considered in patients with a history of COVID-19 pneumonia with or without clinical hypocortisolism.},
}

Humans
Female
*COVID-19/complications/epidemiology/blood
Male
Middle Aged
*Adrenal Insufficiency/epidemiology/blood
Cross-Sectional Studies
Aged
*Hydrocortisone/blood
SARS-CoV-2
Adult
Prevalence
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone/blood

@article {pmid39022309,
year = {2024},
author = {Lubarsky, D and Clark, DE and Crum, K and Karpinos, A and Austin, ED and Soslow, JH},
title = {Quantifying the impact of post-acute sequelae of coronavirus on the cardiopulmonary endurance of athletes.},
journal = {Pulmonary circulation},
volume = {14},
number = {3},
pages = {e12413},
pmid = {39022309},
issn = {2045-8932},
abstract = {Post-acute sequelae of Coronavirus (PASC), or Long COVID, has emerged as a critical health concern. The clinical manifestations of PASC have been described, but studies have not quantified the cardiopulmonary effects. The goal of this study was to quantify PASC cardiopulmonary changes among endurance athletes. Endurance athletes were recruited via social media; 45 met inclusion criteria, 32 had PASC and 13 were asymptomatic at 3 months (control). Comprehensive interviews were conducted to assess: cardiopulmonary symptoms at 3 months; quantitative and qualitative changes in cardiovascular endurance; exercise hours per week at baseline and 3 months; and Modified Oslo, Dyspnea, and EQ-5D-5L scales. All collected data was based on self-reported symptoms. Wilcoxon rank sum compared PASC with control to distinguish the effects of PASC vs effects of COVID infection/lockdown. PASC subjects were more likely to be female (Table). The most common 3-month symptoms in PASC were fatigue and shortness of breath. Based on self-reported data, subjects endorsed a median decrease of 27% in cardiopulmonary endurance levels compared with 0% in controls (p = 0.0019). PASC subjects exercised less hours and had worse self-reported health as compared with controls. PASC subjects also had significantly worse Modified Oslo, Dyspnea, and EQ-5D-5L scores. Of the 32 PASC patients, 10 (31%) reported a complete inability to engage in any cardiovascular endurance exercise at 3 months. PASC leads to a significant, quantifiable decrease in cardiopulmonary health and endurance.},
}

@article {pmid39019602,
year = {2024},
author = {Tokumasu, K and Matsuki, N and Fujikawa, H and Sakamoto, Y and Otsuka, F},
title = {Reliability and Validity of the Japanese Version of the Fatigue Assessment Scale.},
journal = {Internal medicine (Tokyo, Japan)},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.2169/internalmedicine.4101-24},
pmid = {39019602},
issn = {1349-7235},
abstract = {Objective General fatigue is one of the most frequent chief complaints in primary care, and an accurate assessment of fatigue has a direct impact on a patient's quality of life and treatment decisions. The Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS), a measure of general fatigue, is useful for assessing fatigue in diverse cultures and diseases. However, there has been no study showing the reliability and validity of the scale in the Japanese context. The present study assessed the reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the FAS. Methods This study was conducted on 649 patients with long COVID who had a high frequency of general fatigue. To test the structural validity of the FAS, the patients were randomly divided into two groups: one in which an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted and one in which a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted. Cronbach's alpha was calculated to assess internal consistency reliability. Results As 58 patients had missing values, we analyzed the data of 591 patients. The EFA led to an FAS comprising two factors. The CFA showed an acceptable fit for this two-factor model. The internal consistency was found to be good (Cronbach's alpha =0.89). Conclusion This study verified the structural validity and internal consistency and reliability of the Japanese version of the FAS. The results indicate that the Japanese version of the FAS is useful for assessing general fatigue in patients with long COVID in Japan.},
}

@article {pmid39019092,
year = {2024},
author = {Jeon, D and Kim, SH and Kim, J and Jeong, H and Uhm, C and Oh, H and Cho, K and Cho, Y and Park, IH and Oh, J and Kim, JJ and Hwang, JY and Lee, HJ and Lee, HY and Seo, JY and Shin, JS and Seong, JK and Nam, KT},
title = {Discovery of a new long COVID mouse model via systemic histopathological comparison of SARS-CoV-2 intranasal and inhalation infection.},
journal = {Biochimica et biophysica acta. Molecular basis of disease},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {167347},
doi = {10.1016/j.bbadis.2024.167347},
pmid = {39019092},
issn = {1879-260X},
abstract = {Intranasal infection is commonly used to establish a SARS-CoV-2 mouse model due to its non-invasive procedures and a minimal effect from the operation itself. However, mice intranasally infected with SARS-CoV-2 have a high mortality rate, which limits the utility of this model for exploring therapeutic strategies and the sequelae of non-fatal COVID-19 cases. To resolve these limitations, an aerosolised viral administration method has been suggested. However, an in-depth pathological analysis comparing the two models is lacking. Here, we show that inhalation and intranasal SARS-CoV-2 (10[6] PFU) infection models established in K18-hACE2 mice develop unique pathological features in both the respiratory and central nervous systems, which could be directly attributed to the infection route. While the inhalation-infection model exhibited relatively milder pathological parameters, it closely mimicked the prevalent chest CT pattern observed in Covid-19 patients with focal, peripheral lesions and fibrotic scarring in the recuperating lung. We also found the evidence of direct neuron-invasion from the olfactory receptor neurons to the olfactory bulb in the intranasal model and showed the trigeminal nerve as an alternative route of transmission to the brain in inhalation infected mice. Even after viral clearance confirmed at 14 days post-infection, mild lesions were still found in the brain of inhalation-infected mice. These findings suggest that the inhalation-infection model has advantages over the intranasal-infection model in closely mimicking the pathological features of non-fatal symptoms of COVID-19, demonstrating its potential to study the sequelae and possible interventions for long COVID.},
}

@article {pmid39018529,
year = {2024},
author = {Rosen, CJ},
title = {Viral Variants, Vaccinations, and Long Covid - New Insights.},
journal = {The New England journal of medicine},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1056/NEJMe2407575},
pmid = {39018529},
issn = {1533-4406},
}

@article {pmid39018475,
year = {2024},
author = {Buonsenso, D and Sorrentino, S and Ferretti, A and Morello, R and Valentini, P and Di Gennaro, L and De Candia, E},
title = {Circulating Activated Platelets in Children With Long Covid: A Case-Controlled Preliminary Observation.},
journal = {The Pediatric infectious disease journal},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1097/INF.0000000000004470},
pmid = {39018475},
issn = {1532-0987},
abstract = {We investigated if children with Long Covid (n=14) have activated platelets compared with healthy controls (n=14). Platelet activation and secretion markers were investigated by flow cytometry using MoAbs directed against P-selectin, CD63, and PAC-1 in quiescent platelets and in platelets stimulated with 10-µM adenosine diphosphate and 25-µM protease activated receptor 1-activating peptide. Circulating platelets of patients with Long Covid had significantly increased expression of the activation marker cytometry using MoAbs directed against P-selectin (P = 0.019).},
}

@article {pmid39017131,
year = {2023},
author = {Sutherland, S},
title = {The Brain and Long COVID: Millions of people are still suffering long after infection. Now researchers are finding neurological causes for their symptoms.},
journal = {Scientific American},
volume = {328},
number = {3},
pages = {26},
doi = {10.1038/scientificamerican0323-26},
pmid = {39017131},
issn = {0036-8733},
mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19 ; *Brain ; *SARS-CoV-2 ; Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome ; Nervous System Diseases/etiology ; },
}

Humans
*COVID-19
*Brain
*SARS-CoV-2
Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome
Nervous System Diseases/etiology

@article {pmid39017114,
year = {2023},
author = {Helmuth, L},
title = {Quark Soup: Long COVID is a neurological disease, we can learn about pregnancy from other species, and the universe may be a hologram: highlights from the March issue of Scientific American.},
journal = {Scientific American},
volume = {328},
number = {3},
pages = {4},
doi = {10.1038/scientificamerican0323-4},
pmid = {39017114},
issn = {0036-8733},
mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19 ; Pregnancy ; Female ; *SARS-CoV-2 ; *Pandemics ; Pneumonia, Viral/epidemiology ; Coronavirus Infections/epidemiology ; Animals ; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious ; Betacoronavirus ; Nervous System Diseases/virology ; },
}

Humans
*COVID-19
Pregnancy
Female
*SARS-CoV-2
*Pandemics
Pneumonia, Viral/epidemiology
Coronavirus Infections/epidemiology
Animals
Pregnancy Complications, Infectious
Betacoronavirus
Nervous System Diseases/virology

@article {pmid39016279,
year = {2024},
author = {Stufano, A and Lucchese, G and Schino, V and Plantone, D and de Maria, L and Vimercati, L and Floel, A and Iavicoli, I and Lovreglio, P},
title = {PSYCHOLOGICAL GENERAL WELL-BEING, COGNITIVE FAILURE, AND INFLAMMATION BIOMARKERS AMONG WORKERS FOUR MONTHS AFTER A MILD/ASYMPTOMATIC SARS-CoV-2 INFECTION.},
journal = {Journal of occupational and environmental medicine},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1097/JOM.0000000000003174},
pmid = {39016279},
issn = {1536-5948},
abstract = {OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between cognitive complaints, systemic inflammatory biomarkers and psychological general well-being (PGWB) after mild/asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection, according to the presence of long COVID and work tasks.

METHODS: University employees and metal workers were recruited in a cross-sectional study four months after SARS-CoV-2 infection to assess cognitive impairment, individual PGWB index, inflammatory biomarkers, namely platelet-lymphocyte, neutrophil-lymphocyte and lymphocyte-monocyte ratios, and the presence of long COVID symptoms.

RESULTS: A significant increase in the levels of inflammatory biomarkers was observed in subjects with long COVID. Furthermore, the PGWB index was influenced by long COVID symptoms and subjective cognitive and depressive symptoms, but not by work activity.

CONCLUSIONS: In occupational settings, it is crucial to detect the presence of long COVID symptoms and systemic inflammation early, as they may be associated with lower PGWB.},
}

@article {pmid39014958,
year = {2024},
author = {Shen, Z and Li, Q and Wu, J and Zhu, D and Bai, J and Ren, R and Zhang, J and Li, Y and Wang, M and Gu, J and Li, Y and Dong, W and Wang, H and Sun, T and Yang, F and Zhou, X and Yang, J and Tarimo, CS and Ma, M and Feng, Y and Miao, Y},
title = {Dynamic evolution of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy over 2021-2023 among Chinese population: Repeated nationwide cross-sectional study.},
journal = {Journal of medical virology},
volume = {96},
number = {7},
pages = {e29800},
doi = {10.1002/jmv.29800},
pmid = {39014958},
issn = {1096-9071},
support = {//National Social Science Fund of China/ ; //Collaborative Innovation Key Project of Zhengzhou/ ; },
mesh = {Humans ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; *COVID-19 Vaccines/administration & dosage ; *COVID-19/prevention & control/epidemiology ; China/epidemiology ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Male ; Female ; *Vaccination Hesitancy/statistics & numerical data/psychology ; Aged ; Young Adult ; Adolescent ; SARS-CoV-2/immunology ; Vaccination/psychology/statistics & numerical data ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; East Asian People ; },
abstract = {Globally, the rollout of COVID-19 vaccine had been faced with a significant barrier in the form of vaccine hesitancy. This study adopts a multi-stage perspective to explore the prevalence and determinants of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, focusing on their dynamic evolutionary features. Guided by the integrated framework of the 3Cs model (complacency, confidence, and convenience) and the EAH model (environmental, agent, and host), this study conducted three repeated national cross-sectional surveys. These surveys carried out from July 2021 to February 2023 across mainland China, targeted individuals aged 18 and older. They were strategically timed to coincide with three critical vaccination phases: universal coverage (stage 1), partial coverage (stage 2), and key population coverage (stage 3). From 2021 to 2023, the surveys examined sample sizes of 29 925, 6659, and 5407, respectively. The COVID-19 vaccine hesitation rates increased from 8.39% in 2021 to 29.72% in 2023. Urban residency, chronic condition, and low trust in vaccine developer contributed to significant COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy across the pandemic. Negative correlations between the intensity of vaccination policies and vaccine hesitancy, and positive correlations between vaccine hesitancy and long COVID, were confirmed. This study provides insights for designing future effective vaccination programs for emerging vaccine-preventable infectious X diseases.},
}

Humans
Cross-Sectional Studies
*COVID-19 Vaccines/administration & dosage
*COVID-19/prevention & control/epidemiology
China/epidemiology
Middle Aged
Adult
Male
Female
*Vaccination Hesitancy/statistics & numerical data/psychology
Aged
Young Adult
Adolescent
SARS-CoV-2/immunology
Vaccination/psychology/statistics & numerical data
Surveys and Questionnaires
East Asian People

@article {pmid39012668,
year = {2024},
author = {Villacampa, A and Shamoon, L and Valencia, I and Morales, C and Figueiras, S and la Cuesta, F and Sánchez-Niño, D and Díaz-Araya, G and Sánchez-Pérez, I and Lorenzo, Ó and Sánchez-Ferrer, CF and Peiró, C},
title = {SARS-CoV-2 S Protein Reduces Cytoprotective Defenses and Promotes Human Endothelial Cell Senescence.},
journal = {Aging and disease},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.14336/AD.2024.0405},
pmid = {39012668},
issn = {2152-5250},
abstract = {Premature vascular aging and endothelial cell senescence are major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and atherothrombotic disturbances, which are main complications of both acute and long COVID-19. The S protein of SARS-CoV2, which acts as the receptor binding protein for the viral infection, is able to induce endothelial cells inflammation and it has been found as an isolated element in the circulation and in human tissues reservoirs months after infection. Here, we investigated whether the S protein is able to directly induce endothelial cell senescence and deciphered some of the mechanisms involved. In primary cultures of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), SARS-CoV-2 S protein enhanced in a concentration-dependent manner the cellular content of senescence and DNA damage response markers (senescence-associated-β galactosidase, γH2AX), as well as growth-arrest effectors (p53, p21, p16). In parallel, the S protein reduced the availability of cytoprotective proteins, such as the anti-aging protein klotho, Nrf2 or heme oxygenase-1, and caused functional harm by impairing ex vivo endothelial-dependent vasorelaxation in murine microvessels. These effects were prevented by the pharmacological inhibition of the NLRP3 inflammasome with MCC950. Furthermore, the supplementation with either recombinant klotho or angiotensin-(1-7), equally protected against the pro-senescence, pro-inflammatory and pro-oxidant action of the S protein. Globally, this study proposes novel mechanisms of disease in the context of COVID-19 and its vascular sequelae and provides pharmacological clues in order to prevent such complications.},
}

@article {pmid39012495,
year = {2024},
author = {Elmer, N and Reißhauer, A and Brehm, K and Drebinger, D and Schaller, SJ and Schwedtke, C and Liebl, ME},
title = {Functional outcome after interdisciplinary, acute rehabilitation in COVID-19 patients: a retrospective study.},
journal = {European archives of psychiatry and clinical neuroscience},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {39012495},
issn = {1433-8491},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Survivors of severe COVID-19 often exhibit a variety of sequelae including loss of mobility and ADL (activities of daily living) capacity. Acute rehabilitation (AR) is an interdisciplinary rehabilitation intervention applied early while still in a hospital setting. The goal of AR is to improve functional limitations and to increase functional independence at discharge. It is established in the treatment of patients with other severe diseases such as sepsis, polytrauma, or stroke. Data concerning AR in COVID-19 are sparse.

AIM: To evaluate the changes in physical function during AR in patients after severe COVID-19.

METHODS: This monocentric, retrospective observational study examined the functional outcomes of a sample of COVID-19-patients who received interdisciplinary AR at a university hospital. Inclusion criteria were a positive SARS-CoV-2 test in 05/2020-01/2022 and transfer to AR after intensive care treatment. 87 patients were elegible for evaluation, 3 of whom were excluded because of death during AR. Data were extracted from the hospital information system. In a pre-post analysis, mobility (Charité Mobility Index), ADL (Barthel Index), and oxygen demand were assessed. In addition, discharge location after AR, factors associated with AR unit length of stay, and functional improvements were analyzed.

RESULTS: Data of 84 patients were analyzed. Mobility increased significantly from a median of 4 [1.25-6] CHARMI points at admission to a median of 9 [8.25-9] at discharge (p < 0.001). ADL increased significantly from a median of 52.5 [35.0-68.75] Barthel Index points at admission to a median of 92.5 [85-95] at discharge (p < 0.001). Oxygen demand decreased from 80.7 to 30.5% of patients. The majority (55.9%) of patients were discharged home, while 36.9% received direct follow-up rehabilitation. Older age correlated significantly with lower scores on the discharge assessment for mobility (Spearman's ϱ = -0.285, p = 0.009) and ADL (Spearman's ϱ = -0.297, p = 0.006).

CONCLUSION: Acute rehabilitation is a viable option for COVID-19 patients with severe functional deficits after ICU treatment to achieve functional progress in mobility and ADL, reduce oxygen requirements and enable follow-up rehabilitation. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER AND DATE OF REGISTRATION FOR PROSPECTIVELY REGISTERED TRIALS: Trial registration number: DRKS00025239. Date of registration: 08 Sep 2021.},
}

@article {pmid39011957,
year = {2024},
author = {Agrawal, P and Giron, LB and Singh, S and Haw, NJ and Goldman, AR and Elkaeid, M and Macatangay, B and Palella, FJ and Alcaide, ML and Moran, CA and Kassaye, SG and Erdmann, N and Chew, KW and Floris-Moore, M and Chandran, A and Augenbraun, MH and Sharma, A and Palmer, C and Landay, AL and Peluso, MJ and Keshavarzian, A and Brown, TT and Tien, PC and Abdel-Mohsen, M},
title = {Pre-pandemic Metabolic Correlates of COVID-19 Severity and Long COVID Incidence in People Living with HIV.},
journal = {The Journal of infectious diseases},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/infdis/jiae362},
pmid = {39011957},
issn = {1537-6613},
abstract = {Host metabolic dysregulation, especially in tryptophan metabolism, is intricately linked to COVID-19 severity and its post-acute sequelae (Long COVID). People living with HIV (PLWH) experience similar metabolic dysregulation and face an increased risk of developing Long COVID. However, whether pre-existing HIV-associated metabolic dysregulations contribute in predisposing PLWH to severe COVID-19 outcomes remains underexplored. Analyzing pre-pandemic samples from PLWH with documented post-infection outcomes, we found specific metabolic alterations, including increased tryptophan catabolism, predicting an elevated risk of severe COVID-19 and the incidence of Long COVID. These alterations warrant further investigation for their potential prognostic and mechanistic significance in determining COVID-19 complications.},
}

@article {pmid39011859,
year = {2024},
author = {Zelek, WM},
title = {Is Long COVID a Complement Dysregulation Disease?.},
journal = {Clinical chemistry},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/clinchem/hvae088},
pmid = {39011859},
issn = {1530-8561},
}

@article {pmid39009459,
year = {2024},
author = {Sinha, K and Gutacker, N and Gu, Y and Haagsma, J and Kumar, K and Aghdaee, M},
title = {Protocol for a longitudinal study examining the trajectory of COVID-19, post-COVID, multidimensional disadvantage and health-related quality of life in India: the IndiQol Project.},
journal = {BMJ open},
volume = {14},
number = {7},
pages = {e080985},
doi = {10.1136/bmjopen-2023-080985},
pmid = {39009459},
issn = {2044-6055},
mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/epidemiology/psychology ; India/epidemiology ; *Quality of Life ; Longitudinal Studies ; *SARS-CoV-2 ; Adult ; Research Design ; Male ; Female ; Vulnerable Populations ; Pandemics ; },
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has raised concerns about the persistence of symptoms after infection, commonly referred to as 'post-COVID' or 'long-COVID'. While countries in high-resource countries have highlighted the increased risk of disadvantaged communities, there is limited understanding of how COVID-19 and post-COVID conditions affect marginalised populations in low-income and middle-income countries. We study the longitudinal patterns of COVID-19, post-COVID symptoms and their impact on the health-related quality of life through the IndiQol Project.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The IndiQol Project conducts household surveys across India to collect data on the incidence of COVID-19 and multidimensional well-being using a longitudinal design. We select a representative sample across six states surveyed over four waves. A two-stage sampling design was used to randomly select primary sampling units in rural and urban areas of each State. Using power analysis, we select an initial sample of 3000 household and survey all adult household members in each wave. The survey data will be analysed using limited dependent variable models and matching techniques to provide insights into the impact of COVID-19 pandemic and post-COVID on health and well-being of individuals in India.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethics approval for the IndiQol Project was obtained from the Macquarie University Human Research Ethics Committee in Sydney, Australia and Institutional Review Board of Morsel in India. The project results will be published in peer-reviewed journals. Data collected from the IndiQol project will be deposited with the EuroQol group and will be available to use by eligible researchers on approval of request.},
}

Humans
*COVID-19/epidemiology/psychology
India/epidemiology
*Quality of Life
Longitudinal Studies
*SARS-CoV-2
Adult
Research Design
Male
Female
Vulnerable Populations
Pandemics

@article {pmid39008486,
year = {2024},
author = {Wynberg, E and Han, AX and van Willigen, HDG and Verveen, A and van Pul, L and Maurer, I and van Leeuwen, EM and van den Aardweg, JG and de Jong, MD and Nieuwkerk, P and Prins, M and Kootstra, NA and de Bree, GJ and , },
title = {Inflammatory profiles are associated with long COVID up to 6 months after COVID-19 onset: A prospective cohort study of individuals with mild to critical COVID-19.},
journal = {PloS one},
volume = {19},
number = {7},
pages = {e0304990},
pmid = {39008486},
issn = {1932-6203},
mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/blood/immunology/epidemiology ; Female ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; *Cytokines/blood ; *SARS-CoV-2/isolation & purification ; Adult ; Inflammation/blood ; Netherlands/epidemiology ; Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome ; Aged ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: After initial COVID-19, immune dysregulation may persist and drive post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC). We described longitudinal trajectories of cytokines in adults up to 6 months following SARS-CoV-2 infection and explored early predictors of PASC.

METHODS: RECoVERED is a prospective cohort of individuals with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection between May 2020 and June 2021 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Serum was collected at weeks 4, 12 and 24 of follow-up. Monthly symptom questionnaires were completed from month 2 after COVID-19 onset onwards; lung diffusion capacity (DLCO) was tested at 6 months. Cytokine concentrations were analysed by human magnetic Luminex screening assay. We used a linear mixed-effects model to study log-concentrations of cytokines over time, assessing their association with socio-demographic and clinical characteristics that were included in the model as fixed effects.

RESULTS: 186/349 (53%) participants had ≥2 serum samples and were included in current analyses. Of these, 101/186 (54%: 45/101[45%] female, median age 55 years [IQR = 45-64]) reported PASC at 12 and 24 weeks after COVID-19 onset. We included 37 reference samples (17/37[46%] female, median age 49 years [IQR = 40-56]). In a multivariate model, PASC was associated with raised CRP and abnormal diffusion capacity with raised IL10, IL17, IL6, IP10 and TNFα at 24 weeks. Early (0-4 week) IL-1β and BMI at COVID-19 onset were predictive of PASC at 24 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that immune dysregulation plays an important role in PASC pathogenesis, especially among individuals with reduced pulmonary function. Early IL-1β shows promise as a predictor of PASC.},
}

Humans
*COVID-19/blood/immunology/epidemiology
Female
Male
Middle Aged
Prospective Studies
*Cytokines/blood
*SARS-CoV-2/isolation & purification
Adult
Inflammation/blood
Netherlands/epidemiology
Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome
Aged

@article {pmid39016768,
year = {2022},
author = {O'Rourke, M},
title = {Long Haulers Called Attention to Chronic Illnesses: But society is not prepared for the growing crisis of long COVID.},
journal = {Scientific American},
volume = {326},
number = {3},
pages = {56},
doi = {10.1038/scientificamerican0322-56},
pmid = {39016768},
issn = {0036-8733},
}

@article {pmid39006446,
year = {2024},
author = {Haddad, NS and Morrison-Porter, A and Quehl, H and Capric, V and Lamothe, PA and Anam, F and Runnstrom, MC and Truong, AD and Dixit, AN and Woodruff, MC and Chen, A and Park, J and Nguyen, DC and Hentenaar, I and Kim, CY and Kyu, S and Stewart, B and Wagman, E and Geoffroy, H and Sanz, D and Cashman, KS and Ramonell, RP and Cabrera-Mora, M and Alter, DN and Roback, JD and Horwath, MC and O'Keefe, JB and Dretler, AW and Gripaldo, R and Yeligar, SM and Natoli, T and Betin, V and Patel, R and Vela, K and Hernandez, MR and Usman, S and Varghese, J and Jalal, A and Lee, S and Le, SN and Toby Amoss, R and Daiss, JL and Sanz, I and Lee, FE},
title = {MENSA, a Media Enriched with Newly Synthesized Antibodies, to Identify SARS-CoV-2 Persistence and Latent Viral Reactivation in Long-COVID.},
journal = {medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1101/2024.07.05.24310017},
pmid = {39006446},
abstract = {Post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (SARS2) infection (PASC) is a heterogeneous condition, but the main viral drivers are unknown. Here, we use MENSA, Media Enriched with Newly Synthesized Antibodies, secreted exclusively from circulating human plasmablasts, to provide an immune snapshot that defines the underlying viral triggers. We provide proof-of-concept testing that the MENSA technology can capture the new host immune response to accurately diagnose acute primary and breakthrough infections when known SARS2 virus or proteins are present. It is also positive after vaccination when spike proteins elicit an acute immune response. Applying the same principles for long-COVID patients, MENSA is positive for SARS2 in 40% of PASC vs none of the COVID recovered (CR) patients without any sequelae demonstrating ongoing SARS2 viral inflammation only in PASC. Additionally, in PASC patients, MENSAs are also positive for Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) in 37%, Human Cytomegalovirus (CMV) in 23%, and herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV2) in 15% compared to 17%, 4%, and 4% in CR controls respectively. Combined, a total of 60% of PASC patients have a positive MENSA for SARS2, EBV, CMV, and/or HSV2. MENSA offers a unique antibody snapshot to reveal the underlying viral drivers in long-COVID thus demonstrating the persistence of SARS2 and reactivation of viral herpes in 60% of PASC patients.},
}

@article {pmid39006431,
year = {2024},
author = {Pietzner, M and Denaxas, S and Yasmeen, S and Ulmer, MA and Nakanishi, T and Arnold, M and Kastenmüller, G and Hemingway, H and Langenberg, C},
title = {Complex patterns of multimorbidity associated with severe COVID-19 and Long COVID.},
journal = {medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1101/2023.05.23.23290408},
pmid = {39006431},
abstract = {Early evidence that patients with (multiple) pre-existing diseases are at highest risk for severe COVID-19 has been instrumental in the pandemic to allocate critical care resources and later vaccination schemes. However, systematic studies exploring the breadth of medical diagnoses, including common, but non-fatal diseases are scarce, but may help to understand severe COVID-19 among patients at supposedly low risk. Here, we systematically harmonized >12 million primary care and hospitalisation health records from ∼500,000 UK Biobank participants into 1448 collated disease terms to systematically identify diseases predisposing to severe COVID-19 (requiring hospitalisation or death) and its post-acute sequalae, Long COVID. We identified a total of 679 diseases associated with an increased risk for severe COVID-19 (n=672) and/or Long COVID (n=72) that spanned almost all clinical specialties and were strongly enriched in clusters of cardio-respiratory and endocrine-renal diseases. For 57 diseases, we established consistent evidence to predispose to severe COVID-19 based on survival and genetic susceptibility analyses. This included a possible role of symptoms of malaise and fatigue as a so far largely overlooked risk factor for severe COVID-19. We finally observed partially opposing risk estimates at known risk loci for severe COVID-19 for etiologically related diseases, such as post-inflammatory pulmonary fibrosis (e.g., MUC5B , NPNT , and PSMD3) or rheumatoid arthritis (e.g., TYK2), possibly indicating a segregation of disease mechanisms. Our results provide a unique reference that demonstrates how 1) complex co-occurrence of multiple - including non-fatal - conditions predispose to increased COVID-19 severity and 2) how incorporating the whole breadth of medical diagnosis can guide the interpretation of genetic risk loci.},
}

@article {pmid39006428,
year = {2024},
author = {Herbert, C and Antar, AAR and Broach, J and Wright, C and Stamegna, P and Luzuriaga, K and Hafer, N and McManus, DD and Manabe, YC and Soni, A},
title = {Relationship between acute SARS-CoV-2 viral clearance with Long COVID Symptoms: a cohort study.},
journal = {medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1101/2024.07.04.24309953},
pmid = {39006428},
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: The relationship between SARS-CoV-2 viral dynamics during acute infection and the development of long COVID is largely unknown.

METHODS: A total of 7361 asymptomatic community-dwelling people enrolled in the Test Us at Home parent study between October 2021 and February 2022. Participants self-collected anterior nasal swabs for SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR testing every 24-48 hours for 10-14 days, regardless of symptom or infection status. Participants who had no history of COVID-19 at enrollment and who were subsequently found to have ≥1 positive SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR test during the parent study were recontacted in August 2023 and asked whether they had experienced long COVID, defined as the development of new symptoms lasting 3 months or longer following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Participant's cycle threshold values were converted into viral loads, and slopes of viral clearance were modeled using post-nadir viral loads. Using a log binomial model with the modeled slopes as the exposure, we calculated the relative risk of subsequently developing long COVID with 1-2 symptoms, 3-4 symptoms, or 5+ symptoms, adjusting for age, number of symptoms, and SARS-CoV-2 variant. Adjusted relative risk (aRR) of individual long COVID symptoms based on viral clearance was also calculated.

RESULTS: 172 participants were eligible for analyses, and 59 (34.3%) reported experiencing long COVID. The risk of long COVID with 3-4 symptoms and 5+ symptoms increased by 2.44 times (aRR: 2.44; 95% CI: 0.88-6.82) and 4.97 times (aRR: 4.97; 95% CI: 1.90-13.0) per viral load slope-unit increase, respectively. Participants who developed long COVID had significantly longer times from peak viral load to viral clearance during acute disease than those who never developed long COVID (8.65 [95% CI: 8.28-9.01] vs. 10.0 [95% CI: 9.25-10.8]). The slope of viral clearance was significantly positively associated with long COVID symptoms of fatigue (aRR: 2.86; 95% CI: 1.22-6.69), brain fog (aRR: 4.94; 95% CI: 2.21-11.0), shortness of breath (aRR: 5.05; 95% CI: 1.24-20.6), and gastrointestinal symptoms (aRR: 5.46; 95% CI: 1.54-19.3).

DISCUSSION: We observed that longer time from peak viral load to viral RNA clearance during acute COVID-19 was associated with an increased risk of developing long COVID. Further, slower clearance rates were associated with greater number of symptoms of long COVID. These findings suggest that early viral-host dynamics are mechanistically important in the subsequent development of long COVID.},
}

@article {pmid39005628,
year = {2024},
author = {Feng, J and Chen, J and Li, X and Ren, X and Chen, J and Li, Z and Wu, Y and Zhang, Z and Yang, R and Li, J and Lu, Y and Liu, Y},
title = {Mendelian randomization and Bayesian model averaging of autoimmune diseases and Long COVID.},
journal = {Frontiers in genetics},
volume = {15},
number = {},
pages = {1383162},
pmid = {39005628},
issn = {1664-8021},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Following COVID-19, reports suggest Long COVID and autoimmune diseases (AIDs) in infected individuals. However, bidirectional causal effects between Long COVID and AIDs, which may help to prevent diseases, have not been fully investigated.

METHODS: Summary-level data from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of Long COVID (N = 52615) and AIDs including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (N = 377277), Crohn's disease (CD) (N = 361508), ulcerative colitis (UC) (N = 376564), etc. were employed. Bidirectional causal effects were gauged between AIDs and Long COVID by exploiting Mendelian randomization (MR) and Bayesian model averaging (BMA).

RESULTS: The evidence of causal effects of IBD (OR = 1.06, 95% CI = 1.00-1.11, p = 3.13E-02), CD (OR = 1.10, 95% CI = 1.01-1.19, p = 2.21E-02) and UC (OR = 1.08, 95% CI = 1.03-1.13, p = 2.35E-03) on Long COVID was found. In MR-BMA, UC was estimated as the highest-ranked causal factor (MIP = 0.488, MACE = 0.035), followed by IBD and CD.

CONCLUSION: This MR study found that IBD, CD and UC had causal effects on Long COVID, which suggests a necessity to screen high-risk populations.},
}

@article {pmid39003005,
year = {2024},
author = {Broussard, CA and Azola, A and Rowe, PC},
title = {Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Its Impact on Adolescents and Young Adults.},
journal = {Pediatric clinics of North America},
volume = {71},
number = {4},
pages = {613-630},
doi = {10.1016/j.pcl.2024.04.004},
pmid = {39003005},
issn = {1557-8240},
mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/complications/epidemiology ; Adolescent ; Young Adult ; *Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome ; SARS-CoV-2 ; },
abstract = {This review discusses the varying definitions for post-acute sequelae of SARS CoV-2 infection (PASC) in adolescents and young adults (AYAs), symptom profiles of AYAs with PASC, and assessment and management strategies when AYAs present with symptoms concerning for PASC. Additionally, it reviews the impact that PASC can have on AYAs and includes strategies for providers to support AYAs with PASC. Finally, it concludes with a discussion around equity in the care of AYAs with possible PASC.},
}

Humans
*COVID-19/complications/epidemiology
Adolescent
Young Adult
*Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome
SARS-CoV-2

@article {pmid39002665,
year = {2024},
author = {Sun, G and Lin, K and Ai, J and Zhang, W},
title = {The efficacy of antivirals, corticosteroids, and mAbs as acute COVID treatments in reducing the incidence of long COVID: a Systematic Review and meta-analysis.},
journal = {Clinical microbiology and infection : the official publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.cmi.2024.07.006},
pmid = {39002665},
issn = {1469-0691},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Whether treatment during acute COVID results in protective efficacy against long COVID incidence remains unclear.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the relationship between acute COVID treatments of antivirals, corticosteroids, and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and long COVID incidence, and their effects in different populations and individual symptoms.

DATA SOURCES: Searches were conducted up to Jan 29, 2024 in PubMed, Medline, Web of Science, and Embase.

STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Articles that reported long COVID incidence post-acute COVID with a follow-up of at least 30 days with no language restrictions.

PARTICIPANTS: Patients with a COVID-19 diagnosis history.

INTERVENTIONS: Patients treated with antivirals, corticosteroids or mAbs.

ASSESSMENT OF RISK OF BIAS: Quality assessment was based on Newcastle-Ottawa scale, ROBINS-I and Cochrane risk of bias tool.

METHODS OF DATA SYNTHESIS: Basic characteristics were documented for each study. Random forest model and meta-regression was used to evaluate correlation between treatments and long COVID.

RESULTS: Our search identified 2363 records, 32 of which were included in the qualitative synthesis and 25 included into the meta-analysis. Effect size from 14 papers investigating acute COVID antiviral treatment concluded its protective efficacy against long COVID (OR 0.61, 95% CI: 0.48-0.79, p = 0.0002); however, corticosteroid (OR 1.57, 95% CI: 0.80-3.09, p = 0.1913) and mAbs treatments (OR 0.94, 95% CI: 0.56-1.56, p = 0.8012) did not generate such effect. Subsequent subgroup analysis revealed that antivirals provided stronger protection in the aged, male, unvaccinated and non-diabetic populations. Furthermore, antivirals effectively reduced eight out of the twenty-two analyzed long COVID symptoms.

DISCUSSION: Our meta-analysis determined that antivirals reduced long covid incidence across populations and should thus be recommended for acute COVID treatment. There was no relationship between mAbs treatment and long COVID, but studies should be conducted to clarify acute COVID corticosteroids' potential harmful effects on the post-acute phase of COVID.},
}

@article {pmid39000027,
year = {2024},
author = {Currie, C and Myklebust, TÅ and Bjerknes, C and Framroze, B},
title = {Assessing the Potential of an Enzymatically Liberated Salmon Oil to Support Immune Health Recovery from Acute SARS-CoV-2 Infection via Change in the Expression of Cytokine, Chemokine and Interferon-Related Genes.},
journal = {International journal of molecular sciences},
volume = {25},
number = {13},
pages = {},
pmid = {39000027},
issn = {1422-0067},
support = {20CCHH/OP110921//Hofseth BioCare/ ; },
mesh = {Humans ; *Fish Oils/pharmacology/therapeutic use ; *COVID-19/immunology/virology ; Male ; *Interferons/metabolism/genetics ; *SARS-CoV-2/immunology ; *Cytokines/metabolism ; Female ; Middle Aged ; *Chemokines/metabolism/genetics ; Adult ; COVID-19 Drug Treatment ; Fatty Acids, Omega-3/pharmacology ; },
abstract = {Cytokines, chemokines, and interferons are released in response to viral infection with the ultimate aim of viral clearance. However, in SARS-CoV-2 infection, there is an imbalanced immune response, with raised cytokine levels but only a limited interferon response with inefficient viral clearance. Furthermore, the inflammatory response can be exaggerated, which risks both acute and chronic sequelae. Several observational studies have suggested a reduced risk of progression to severe COVID-19 in subjects with a higher omega-3 index. However, randomized studies of omega-3 supplementation have failed to replicate this benefit. Omega-3 fats provide important anti-inflammatory effects; however, fatty fish contains many other fatty acids that provide health benefits distinct from omega-3. Therefore, the immune health benefit of whole salmon oil (SO) was assessed in adults with mild to moderate COVID-19. Eleven subjects were randomized to best supportive care (BSC) with or without a full spectrum, enzymatically liberated SO, dosed at 4g daily, for twenty-eight days. Nasal swabs were taken to measure the change in gene expression of markers of immune response and showed that the SO provided both broad inflammation-resolving effects and improved interferon response. The results also suggest improved lung barrier function and enhanced immune memory, although the clinical relevance needs to be assessed in longer-duration studies. In conclusion, the salmon oil was well tolerated and provided broad inflammation-resolving effects, indicating a potential to enhance immune health.},
}

Humans
*Fish Oils/pharmacology/therapeutic use
*COVID-19/immunology/virology
Male
*Interferons/metabolism/genetics
*SARS-CoV-2/immunology
*Cytokines/metabolism
Female
Middle Aged
*Chemokines/metabolism/genetics
Adult
COVID-19 Drug Treatment
Fatty Acids, Omega-3/pharmacology

@article {pmid38999517,
year = {2024},
author = {Roland, A and Staring, L and Van Puyvelde, M and McGlone, F and Mairesse, O},
title = {Sleep, Mental Health, and the Need for Physical and Real-Life Social Contact with (Non-)Family Members during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Bayesian Network Analysis.},
journal = {Journal of clinical medicine},
volume = {13},
number = {13},
pages = {},
pmid = {38999517},
issn = {2077-0383},
support = {11N8923N//Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek/ ; 11M0123N//Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek/ ; },
abstract = {Background/Objectives: The forced social isolation implemented to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus was accompanied by a worsening of mental health, an increase in insomnia symptoms, and the emergence of 'skin hunger'-an increased longing for personal touch. This study aimed to enhance our understanding of the interconnection between sleep, mental health, and the need for physical (NPC) and real-life social contact (NRL-SC). Methods: A total of 2827 adults participated in an online survey during the second COVID-19 lockdown. A Bayesian Gaussian copula graphical model (BGCGM) and a Bayesian-directed acyclic graph (DAG) were estimated, and mixed ANOVAs were carried out. Results: NPC with non-family members (t(2091) = 12.55, p < 0.001, d = 0.27) and relational lifestyle satisfaction (t(2089) = 13.62, p < 0.001, d = 0.30) were lower during the second lockdown than before the pandemic. In our BGCGM, there were weak positive edges between the need for PC and RL-SC on one hand and sleep and mental health on the other. Conclusions: During the second lockdown, people craved less physical contact with non-family members and were less satisfied with their relational lifestyle than before the pandemic. Individuals with a greater need for PC and RL-SC reported poorer mental health (i.e., worry, depression, and mental fatigue).},
}

@article {pmid38999375,
year = {2024},
author = {Matsuda, Y and Sakurada, Y and Otsuka, Y and Tokumasu, K and Nakano, Y and Sunada, N and Honda, H and Hasegawa, T and Takase, R and Omura, D and Ueda, K and Otsuka, F},
title = {Changes in Working Situations of Employed Long COVID Patients: Retrospective Study in Japanese Outpatient Clinic.},
journal = {Journal of clinical medicine},
volume = {13},
number = {13},
pages = {},
pmid = {38999375},
issn = {2077-0383},
support = {23fk0108585h0001//Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development/ ; },
abstract = {Purpose: The present study aimed to uncover the impact of long COVID on the working situations of Japanese patients. Methods: Changes in the working situations of the patients who visited our long COVID clinic were evaluated from medical records for the aspects of physical status, quality of life (QOL), and mental conditions. Results: Of 846 long COVID patients who visited our clinic from February 2021 to December 2023, 545 employed patients aged between 18 and 65 years were included in this study. A total of 295 patients (54.1%) with long COVID (median age: 43 years, female: 55.6%) experienced changes in their working status. Those patients included 220 patients (40.4%) who took a leave of absence, 53 patients (9.7%) who retired, and 22 patients (4%) with reduced working hours. Most of the patients (93.2%) with changes in working conditions had mild disease severity in the acute phase of COVID-19. The majority of those patients with mild disease severity (58.8%) were infected in the Omicron-variant phase and included 65.3% of the female patients. The major symptoms in long COVID patients who had changes in their working situations were fatigue, insomnia, headache, and dyspnea. Scores indicating fatigue and QOL were worsened in long COVID patients who had changes in their working situations. In addition, 63.7% of the long COVID patients with changes in their working situations had decreases in their incomes. Conclusions: Changes in the working situation of long COVID patients who were employed had a negative impact on the maintenance of their QOL.},
}

@article {pmid38996944,
year = {2024},
author = {Loo, C and Treacy, MG and Toerien, L and Msellati, A and Catanzano, T},
title = {Emergency Presentations of COVID-19: A Review of the Literature and Radiologic Perspective.},
journal = {Seminars in ultrasound, CT, and MR},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1053/j.sult.2024.07.003},
pmid = {38996944},
issn = {1558-5034},
abstract = {Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for the debilitating global pandemic known as Coronavirus disease (COVID-19). In this paper, we highlight the widespread manifestations and complications across disease systems. In addition, we present their relevant imaging findings to inform appropriate investigations and management in patients presenting to the Emergency Department with COVID-19 and its respective sequalae. Of note, we outline considerations for diagnosis of long COVID, an important medium to long term sequalae in patients with previous COVID-19 infections.},
}

@article {pmid38978683,
year = {2024},
author = {Li, L and Zhou, T and Lu, Y and Chen, J and Lei, Y and Wu, Q and Arnold, J and Becich, MJ and Bisyuk, Y and Blecker, S and Chrischilles, E and Christakis, DA and Geary, CR and Jhaveri, R and Lenert, L and Liu, M and Mirhaji, P and Morizono, H and Mosa, ASM and Onder, AM and Patel, R and Smoyer, WE and Taylor, BW and Williams, DA and Dixon, BP and Flynn, JT and Gluck, C and Harshman, LA and Mitsnefes, MM and Modi, ZJ and Pan, CG and Patel, HP and Verghese, PS and Forrest, CB and Denburg, MR and Chen, Y},
title = {Post-acute and Chronic Kidney Function Outcomes of COVID-19 in Children and Adolescents: An EHR Cohort Study from the RECOVER Initiative.},
journal = {medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {38978683},
support = {OT2 HL161847/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; },
abstract = {We investigated the risks of post-acute and chronic adverse kidney outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the pediatric population via a retrospective cohort study using data from the RECOVER program. We included 1,864,637 children and adolescents under 21 from 19 children's hospitals and health institutions in the US with at least six months of follow-up time between March 2020 and May 2023. We divided the patients into three strata: patients with pre-existing chronic kidney disease (CKD), patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) during the acute phase (within 28 days) of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and patients without pre-existing CKD or AKI. We defined a set of adverse kidney outcomes for each stratum and examined the outcomes within the post-acute and chronic phases after SARS-CoV-2 infection. In each stratum, compared with the non-infected group, patients with COVID-19 had a higher risk of adverse kidney outcomes. For patients without pre-existing CKD, there were increased risks of CKD stage 2+ (HR 1.20; 95% CI: 1.13-1.28) and CKD stage 3+ (HR 1.35; 95% CI: 1.15-1.59) during the post-acute phase (28 days to 365 days) after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Within the post-acute phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection, children and adolescents with pre-existing CKD and those who experienced AKI were at increased risk of progression to a composite outcome defined by at least 50% decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), eGFR <15 mL/min/1.73m[2], End Stage Kidney Disease diagnosis, dialysis, or transplant.},
}

@article {pmid38995582,
year = {2024},
author = {Walbert, H},
title = {[Not Available].},
journal = {MMW Fortschritte der Medizin},
volume = {166},
number = {12},
pages = {35},
doi = {10.1007/s15006-024-4072-3},
pmid = {38995582},
issn = {1613-3560},
mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19 ; COVID-19 Drug Treatment ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Germany ; },
}

Humans
*COVID-19
COVID-19 Drug Treatment
SARS-CoV-2
Germany

@article {pmid38994492,
year = {2024},
author = {Cahan, J and Finley, JA and Cotton, E and Orban, ZS and Jimenez, M and Weintraub, S and Sorets, T and Koralnik, IJ},
title = {Cognitive functioning in patients with neuro-PASC: the role of fatigue, mood, and hospitalization status.},
journal = {Frontiers in neurology},
volume = {15},
number = {},
pages = {1401796},
pmid = {38994492},
issn = {1664-2295},
abstract = {This study sought to characterize cognitive functioning in patients with neurological post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (Neuro-PASC) and investigate the association of subjective and objective functioning along with other relevant factors with prior hospitalization for COVID-19. Participants were 106 adult outpatients with Neuro-PASC referred for abbreviated neuropsychological assessment after scoring worse than one standard deviation below the mean on cognitive screening. Of these patients, 23 had been hospitalized and 83 had not been hospitalized for COVID-19. Subjective cognitive impairment was evaluated with the self-report cognition subscale from the Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System. Objective cognitive performance was assessed using a composite score derived from multiple standardized cognitive measures. Other relevant factors, including fatigue and depression/mood symptoms, were assessed via the Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System. Subjective cognitive impairment measures exceeded the minimal difficulties noted on objective tests and were associated with depression/mood symptoms as well as fatigue. However, fatigue independently explained the most variance (17.51%) in patients' subjective cognitive ratings. When adjusting for fatigue and time since onset of COVID-19 symptoms, neither objective nor subjective impairment were associated with prior hospitalization for COVID-19. Findings suggest that abbreviated neuropsychological assessment may not reveal objective difficulties beyond initial cognitive screening in patients with Neuro-PASC. However, subjective cognitive concerns may persist irrespective of hospitalization status, and are likely influenced by fatigue and depression/mood symptoms. The impact of concomitant management of fatigue and mood in patients with Neuro-PASC who report cognitive concerns deserve further study.},
}

@article {pmid38992084,
year = {2024},
author = {Hadley, E and Yoo, YJ and Patel, S and Zhou, A and Laraway, B and Wong, R and Preiss, A and Chew, R and Davis, H and Brannock, MD and Chute, CG and Pfaff, ER and Loomba, J and Haendel, M and Hill, E and , and Moffitt, R},
title = {Insights from an N3C RECOVER EHR-based cohort study characterizing SARS-CoV-2 reinfections and Long COVID.},
journal = {Communications medicine},
volume = {4},
number = {1},
pages = {129},
pmid = {38992084},
issn = {2730-664X},
support = {OTA OT2HL161847//U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | National Institutes of Health (NIH)/ ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Although the COVID-19 pandemic has persisted for over 3 years, reinfections with SARS-CoV-2 are not well understood. We aim to characterize reinfection, understand development of Long COVID after reinfection, and compare severity of reinfection with initial infection.

METHODS: We use an electronic health record study cohort of over 3 million patients from the National COVID Cohort Collaborative as part of the NIH Researching COVID to Enhance Recovery Initiative. We calculate summary statistics, effect sizes, and Kaplan-Meier curves to better understand COVID-19 reinfections.

RESULTS: Here we validate previous findings of reinfection incidence (6.9%), the occurrence of most reinfections during the Omicron epoch, and evidence of multiple reinfections. We present findings that the proportion of Long COVID diagnoses is higher following initial infection than reinfection for infections in the same epoch. We report lower albumin levels leading up to reinfection and a statistically significant association of severity between initial infection and reinfection (chi-squared value: 25,697, p-value: <0.0001) with a medium effect size (Cramer's V: 0.20, DoF = 3). Individuals who experienced severe initial and first reinfection were older in age and at a higher mortality risk than those who had mild initial infection and reinfection.

CONCLUSIONS: In a large patient cohort, we find that the severity of reinfection appears to be associated with the severity of initial infection and that Long COVID diagnoses appear to occur more often following initial infection than reinfection in the same epoch. Future research may build on these findings to better understand COVID-19 reinfections.},
}

@article {pmid38992068,
year = {2024},
author = {Zang, C and Hou, Y and Schenck, EJ and Xu, Z and Zhang, Y and Xu, J and Bian, J and Morozyuk, D and Khullar, D and Nordvig, AS and Shenkman, EA and Rothman, RL and Block, JP and Lyman, K and Zhang, Y and Varma, J and Weiner, MG and Carton, TW and Wang, F and Kaushal, R},
title = {Identification of risk factors of Long COVID and predictive modeling in the RECOVER EHR cohorts.},
journal = {Communications medicine},
volume = {4},
number = {1},
pages = {130},
pmid = {38992068},
issn = {2730-664X},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: SARS-CoV-2-infected patients may develop new conditions in the period after the acute infection. These conditions, the post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC, or Long COVID), involve a diverse set of organ systems. Limited studies have investigated the predictability of Long COVID development and its associated risk factors.

METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, we used electronic healthcare records from two large-scale PCORnet clinical research networks, INSIGHT (~1.4 million patients from New York) and OneFlorida+ (~0.7 million patients from Florida), to identify factors associated with having Long COVID, and to develop machine learning-based models for predicting Long COVID development. Both SARS-CoV-2-infected and non-infected adults were analysed during the period of March 2020 to November 2021. Factors associated with Long COVID risk were identified by removing background associations and correcting for multiple tests.

RESULTS: We observed complex association patterns between baseline factors and a variety of Long COVID conditions, and we highlight that severe acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, being underweight, and having baseline comorbidities (e.g., cancer and cirrhosis) are likely associated with increased risk of developing Long COVID. Several Long COVID conditions, e.g., dementia, malnutrition, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart failure, PASC diagnosis U099, and acute kidney failure are well predicted (C-index > 0.8). Moderately predictable conditions include atelectasis, pulmonary embolism, diabetes, pulmonary fibrosis, and thromboembolic disease (C-index 0.7-0.8). Less predictable conditions include fatigue, anxiety, sleep disorders, and depression (C-index around 0.6).

CONCLUSIONS: This observational study suggests that association patterns between investigated factors and Long COVID are complex, and the predictability of different Long COVID conditions varies. However, machine learning-based predictive models can help in identifying patients who are at risk of developing a variety of Long COVID conditions.},
}

@article {pmid38991485,
year = {2024},
author = {Jokela-Pansini, M and Greenhough, B and Cousins, O and Dainow, J},
title = {When you can't find the words: Using body mapping to communicate patients' experiences of Long Covid.},
journal = {Health & place},
volume = {89},
number = {},
pages = {103302},
doi = {10.1016/j.healthplace.2024.103302},
pmid = {38991485},
issn = {1873-2054},
abstract = {The aim of this paper is to reflect on the value of body mapping in supporting patients to communicate their everyday experiences of Long Covid. Body maps are life-sized drawings of bodies and body mapping is used to discuss experiences through guided questions and answering those questions using colours, images and other prompts. This short paper focuses on the first of four body mapping workshops of this study, which was conducted in June 2023 in London with 4 participants in collaboration with Long Covid Support. Our preliminary results suggest i) body mapping can offer novel insights into patients' experiences of Long Covid, ii) the method may be effectively applied as a tool for patients to communicate their symptoms and overall experiences to practitioners, friends, and family members, and iii) body mapping may be adapted to offer peer support as part of Long Covid advocacy. This has significant potential application as a resource for healthcare professionals and patient-led peer support and Long Covid advocacy work.},
}

@article {pmid38989751,
year = {2024},
author = {Ulusoy, BO and Babaoglu, H and Aypak, BAA and Akinci, E and Kucuksahin, O and Erten, AOS and Erden, A},
title = {Baseline capillaroscopy provides no evidence of microvascular changes to predict long-COVID syndrome.},
journal = {Bratislavske lekarske listy},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.4149/BLL_2024_77},
pmid = {38989751},
issn = {0006-9248},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Long-COVID refers to a variety of symptoms that continue for at least 4 weeks following the onset of acute COVID-19 infection. "Microclots/microvasculopathy" is a potential cutting-edge theory. Nailfold capillaroscopy is a non-invasive method used to assess microvascularity. In this study, we aimed to compare baseline characteristics and capillaroscopic findings of patients with and without long-COVID syndrome.

METHODS: Baseline clinical characteristics of 53 patients who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 were recorded. At the time of COVID-19 diagnosis, patients underwent nailfold capillaroscopy. One year later, patients were rescreened for long-COVID symptoms. Comparisons were made between patients with and without long-COVID syndrome in terms of their baseline characteristics and capillaroscopic findings.

RESULTS: There were 35 individuals (66%) with long-COVID syndrome. The most common symptoms related to long-COVID were fatigue (43.4%), myalgia (34%), arthralgia (20.8%), dyspnea (20.8%). In total, 22 patients (41.5%) had abnormal capillaroscopy findings. Like other baseline characteristics, the proportion of patients with abnormal capillaroscopic findings (40% vs 44%, p=0.76) was similar between patients with and without long-COVID syndrome.

CONCLUSION: Microvasculopathy and microthrombotic vascular damage are among the strongest hypotheses discussed in this regard. Our results may suggest that factors, rather than baseline microvasculopathy, may drive pathophysiological mechanism underlying the poorly understood long-COVID syndrome (Tab. 2, Ref. 35).},
}

@article {pmid38989384,
year = {2024},
author = {Kumar, T and White, AM},
title = {Diagnosis of Graves' Disease and Methimazole-Induced Lupus Erythematosus in an Adolescent Male During the COVID-19 Era: A Case Report.},
journal = {Cureus},
volume = {16},
number = {6},
pages = {e62023},
pmid = {38989384},
issn = {2168-8184},
abstract = {Graves' disease is the most common form of hyperthyroidism in the pediatric population. Methimazole is the recommended regimen that is well-tolerated in most patients. Treatment with methimazole leading to drug-induced lupus erythematosus (DILE) is not well reported in the pediatric population, especially in the COVID-19 era. We present a case of a 14-year-old Caucasian male who presented with concerns of long COVID due to shortness of breath, hypertension, and fatigue. He was not noted to have significant weight loss, exophthalmos, or sleeping difficulties. He was followed by his general pediatrician, pediatric endocrinologist, cardiologist, and rheumatologist. Laboratory tests confirmed the diagnosis of Graves' disease, and treatment was initiated with methimazole and atenolol. One month into treatment, the patient developed polyarthritis, urticarial rash, and difficulty with gait. Based on clinical suspicion and antibody panels, he was diagnosed with DILE secondary to treatment with methimazole. The patient was then started on a potassium iodide (Lugol) solution to promote the euthyroid state and proceed with total thyroidectomy. Post surgery, the patient developed hypothyroidism, which was managed with oral levothyroxine, to which the patient responded well. By discussing the clinical presentation and treatment of this patient, the goal is to raise awareness and increase clinical suspicion in diagnosing Graves' and DILE in adolescents with upper respiratory presentations.},
}

@article {pmid38988667,
year = {2024},
author = {Müller, L and Di Benedetto, S},
title = {Inflammaging, immunosenescence, and cardiovascular aging: insights into long COVID implications.},
journal = {Frontiers in cardiovascular medicine},
volume = {11},
number = {},
pages = {1384996},
pmid = {38988667},
issn = {2297-055X},
abstract = {Aging leads to physiological changes, including inflammaging-a chronic low-grade inflammatory state with significant implications for various physiological systems, particularly for cardiovascular health. Concurrently, immunosenescence-the age-related decline in immune function, exacerbates vulnerabilities to cardiovascular pathologies in older individuals. Examining the dynamic connections between immunosenescence, inflammation, and cardiovascular aging, this mini-review aims to disentangle some of these interactions for a better understanding of their complex interplay. In the context of cardiovascular aging, the chronic inflammatory state associated with inflammaging compromises vascular integrity and function, contributing to atherosclerosis, endothelial dysfunction, arterial stiffening, and hypertension. The aging immune system's decline amplifies oxidative stress, fostering an environment conducive to atherosclerotic plaque formation. Noteworthy inflammatory markers, such as the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, interleukin-1β, interleukin-18, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha emerge as key players in cardiovascular aging, triggering inflammatory signaling pathways and intensifying inflammaging and immunosenescence. In this review we aim to explore the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying inflammaging and immunosenescence, shedding light on their nuanced contributions to cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, we explore the reciprocal relationship between immunosenescence and inflammaging, revealing a self-reinforcing cycle that intensifies cardiovascular risks. This understanding opens avenues for potential therapeutic targets to break this cycle and mitigate cardiovascular dysfunction in aging individuals. Furthermore, we address the implications of Long COVID, introducing an additional layer of complexity to the relationship between aging, immunosenescence, inflammaging, and cardiovascular health. Our review aims to stimulate continued exploration and advance our understanding within the realm of aging and cardiovascular health.},
}

@article {pmid38987743,
year = {2024},
author = {Sha'ari, NI and Ismail, A and Abdul Aziz, AF and Suddin, LS and Azzeri, A and Sk Abd Razak, R and Mad Tahir, NS},
title = {Cardiovascular diseases as risk factors of post-COVID syndrome: a systematic review.},
journal = {BMC public health},
volume = {24},
number = {1},
pages = {1846},
pmid = {38987743},
issn = {1471-2458},
support = {FRGS/1/2022/SKK04/UKM/02/2//Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS) under Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) Malaysia/ ; FRGS/1/2022/SKK04/UKM/02/2//Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS) under Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) Malaysia/ ; FRGS/1/2022/SKK04/UKM/02/2//Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS) under Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) Malaysia/ ; FRGS/1/2022/SKK04/UKM/02/2//Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS) under Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) Malaysia/ ; FRGS/1/2022/SKK04/UKM/02/2//Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS) under Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) Malaysia/ ; FRGS/1/2022/SKK04/UKM/02/2//Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS) under Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) Malaysia/ ; FRGS/1/2022/SKK04/UKM/02/2//Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS) under Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) Malaysia/ ; },
mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/epidemiology/complications ; *Cardiovascular Diseases/epidemiology ; Risk Factors ; Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome ; Survivors/statistics & numerical data ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: A growing proportion of people experience incomplete recovery months after contracting coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). These COVID-19 survivors develop a condition known as post-COVID syndrome (PCS), where COVID-19 symptoms persist for > 12 weeks after acute infection. Limited studies have investigated PCS risk factors that notably include pre-existing cardiovascular diseases (CVD), which should be examined considering the most recent PCS data. This review aims to identify CVD as a risk factor for PCS development in COVID-19 survivors.

METHODS: Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) checklist, systematic literature searches were performed in the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases from the earliest date available to June 2023. Data from observational studies in English that described the association between CVD and PCS in adults (≥ 18 years old) were included. A minimum of two authors independently performed the screening, study selection, data extraction, data synthesis, and quality assessment (Newcastle-Ottawa Scale). The protocol of this review was registered under PROSPERO (ID: CRD42023440834).

RESULTS: In total, 594 studies were screened after duplicates and non-original articles had been removed. Of the 11 included studies, CVD including hypertension (six studies), heart failure (three studies), and others (two studies) were significantly associated with PCS development with different factors considered. The included studies were of moderate to high methodological quality.

CONCLUSION: Our review highlighted that COVID-19 survivors with pre-existing CVD have a significantly greater risk of developing PCS symptomology than survivors without pre-existing CVD. As heart failure, hypertension and other CVD are associated with a higher risk of developing PCS, comprehensive screening and thorough examinations are essential to minimise the impact of PCS and improve patients' disease progression.},
}

Humans
*COVID-19/epidemiology/complications
*Cardiovascular Diseases/epidemiology
Risk Factors
Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome
Survivors/statistics & numerical data

@article {pmid38984895,
year = {2024},
author = {Judy, J and Yehoshua, A and Gouveia-Pisano, J and Brook, RA and Kleinman, NL and Drnach, AA and Rosenberg, EM and Ghanjanasak, T and Winter, DA and Dai, F and Escobar, JM and Sell, H},
title = {Impact of COVID-19 on Work Loss in the United States- A Retrospective Database Analysis.},
journal = {Journal of medical economics},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {1-19},
doi = {10.1080/13696998.2024.2379056},
pmid = {38984895},
issn = {1941-837X},
abstract = {ObjectivesThis study investigates the utilization of work absence benefits among United States (US) employees diagnosed with COVID-19, examining frequency, duration, cost, and types of work loss benefits used.MethodsThis retrospective analysis of the Workpartners Research Reference Database (RRDb) included employees eligible for short- and long-term disability (STD and LTD employer-sponsored benefits, respectively), and other paid work absence benefits from 2018-2022. Workpartners RRDb includes over 3.5 million employees from over 500 self-insured employers across the US. Employees were identified by codes from adjudicated medical and disability claims for COVID-19 (2020-2022) and influenza, as well as prescription claims for COVID-19. Associated payments were quantified for each absence reason.ResultsApproximately 1 million employees were eligible for employer-sponsored paid leave benefits between January 2018 and December 2022. The mean age was 37 years (22% >50 years), and 49.9% were female. COVID-19 was the 2[nd] most common reason for an STD claim (6.9%) and 13[th] for an LTD claim (2020-2022). The mean duration for COVID-19 STD claims was 24 days (N = 3731, mean claim=$3477) versus 10 days for influenza (N = 283, mean claim=$1721). The mean duration for an LTD claim for COVID-19 was 153 days (N = 24, mean claim=$19,254). Only 21.5% of employees with STD claims in the COVID-19 cohort had prior COVID-19-associated medical or pharmacy claims; over half (range 53%-61%) had documented high risk factors for severe COVID-19.ConclusionCOVID-19 and influenza have the potential to cause work loss in otherwise healthy employees. In this analysis, COVID-19 was the second most frequent reason for an STD claim at the start of the pandemic and remained high (ranked 5[th]) in 2022. These results highlight the impact of COVID-19 on work loss beyond the acute phase. Comprehensively evaluating work loss implications may help employers prioritize strategies, such as vaccinations and timely treatments, to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on employees and their companies.},
}

@article {pmid38984497,
year = {2024},
author = {Avelino-Silva, VI and Bruhn, R and Zurita, KG and Deng, X and Yu, EA and Grebe, E and Stone, M and Lanteri, MC and Spencer, BR and Busch, MP and Custer, B},
title = {SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels and long COVID occurrence in blood donors.},
journal = {Transfusion},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/trf.17952},
pmid = {38984497},
issn = {1537-2995},
support = {75D30120C08170/CC/CDC HHS/United States ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Long COVID is a common condition lacking consensus definition; determinants remain incompletely understood. Characterizing immune profiles associated with long COVID could support the development of preventive and therapeutic strategies.

METHODS: We used a survey to investigate blood donors' infection/vaccination history and acute/persistent symptoms following COVID-19. The prevalence of long COVID was evaluated using self-report and an adapted definition from the RECOVER study. We evaluated factors associated with long COVID, focusing on anti-spike and anti-nucleocapsid SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Lastly, we investigated long COVID clinical subphenotypes using hierarchical clustering.

RESULTS: Of 33,610 participants, 16,003 (48%) reported having had COVID-19; 1853 (12%) had self-reported long COVID, 685 (4%) met an adapted RECOVER definition, and 2050 (13%) met at least one definition. Higher anti-nucleocapsid levels measured 12-24 weeks post-infection were associated with higher risk of self-reported and RECOVER long COVID. Higher anti-spike IgG levels measured 12-24 weeks post-infection were associated with lower risk of self-reported long COVID. Higher total anti-spike measured 24-48 weeks post-infection was associated with lower risk of RECOVER long COVID. Cluster analysis identified four clinical subphenotypes; patterns included neurological and psychiatric for cluster 1; neurological and respiratory for cluster 2; multi-systemic for cluster 3; and neurological for cluster 4.

DISCUSSION: Long COVID prevalence in blood donors varies depending on the adopted definition. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were time-dependently associated with long COVID; higher anti-nucleocapsid levels were associated with higher risk; and higher anti-spike levels were associated with lower risk of long COVID. Different underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms may be associated with distinct clinical subphenotypes.},
}

@article {pmid38981586,
year = {2024},
author = {Frederick, R and Ierino, F and Lopez, R and Goodman, D},
title = {Impact of cultural diversity on COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy in kidney transplant recipients.},
journal = {Nephrology (Carlton, Vic.)},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/nep.14351},
pmid = {38981586},
issn = {1440-1797},
abstract = {AIM: To study COVID-19 vaccination status in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs), reasons for incomplete vaccination and the clinical impact of vaccination on patient outcomes.

METHODS: A single-centre retrospective analysis of KTR (n = 543) conducted between 1970 and December 2022. Data included baseline demographics, number of vaccinations, reason for incomplete vaccination and patient outcomes following COVID-19 infection. A completed course of COVID-19 vaccination was defined as four or more vaccine doses.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA: those deceased prior December 2019, managed by another health service, failed graft, or deceased secondary to non-COVID cause.

RESULTS: 273 of 543 patients met inclusion criteria. Mean age was 58.1 ± 12.2 years, 66% were male. 58.2% of patients were fully vaccinated, 22.7% received three doses, 7.7% received two doses, 0.7% received one dose, 0.7% received zero doses, and 10% incomplete records. The most common reasons for incomplete vaccination were COVID-19 infection, concern for side effects, and patient unawareness of booster recommendations. Vaccination uptake was greater in Australian born patients compared with those born overseas, odds ratio 0.40 (95% CI 0.23-0.69). KTR with incomplete vaccination had poorer outcomes, higher rate of AKI, long COVID, and increased hospitalization.

CONCLUSION: The majority of KTR were fully vaccinated. KTR with incomplete vaccination status had poorer outcomes with COVID-19 infection and other issues. Patient education is a major area for improvement targeting patients born overseas and better information regarding side effects. Potential interventions need to address improved communication, cultural relevancy, and language.},
}

@article {pmid38979547,
year = {2024},
author = {Budikayanti, A and Hakim, M and Mutiani, F and Handayani, S and Lailiyya, N and Khosama, H and Jehosua, SY and Puspitasari, V and Gunawan, PY and Hambarsari, Y and Islamiyah, WR and Gofir, A and Vidyanti, AN and Devicaesaria, A and Ibonita, R and Suryawati, H and Tedjasukmana, R},
title = {The Impact of Post-COVID-19 Conditions on Sleep and Quality of Life in Indonesia: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study.},
journal = {Nature and science of sleep},
volume = {16},
number = {},
pages = {907-916},
pmid = {38979547},
issn = {1179-1608},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Sleep disturbances are included in the six most commonly cited complaints in post-COVID-19 conditions. In order to find the optimal management approach and enhance Quality of Life (QoL), we intend to explore sleep disturbances that occur in post-COVID-19 conditions.

METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted with interviews and questionnaires using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) for assessing sleep quality, Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) for assessing insomnia, Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) for assessing Excessive Daytime Sleepiness (EDS), STOP-BANG questionnaire for assessing Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), and Short Form 36 (SF-36) for assessing QoL. We recruited respondents from several cities in Indonesia and performed an analysis to find the relationship between sleep disturbance and its association with QoL.

RESULTS: This study involved 757 respondents. They were predominantly female, with a median age of 39 years, no comorbidities, and had exhibited mild COVID-19 severity. Subjects with post-COVID-19 conditions experienced insomnia, poor sleep quality, normal sleepiness, and low risk of OSA. Sleep quality caused role limitations due to decreased physical and mental health. Insomnia caused role limitations due to emotional and social functioning problems. Meanwhile, OSA only affected physical functioning.

CONCLUSION: Numerous aspects of patients' QoL are affected by sleep disturbance in post-COVID-19 conditions. A comprehensive approach and coordinated care pathways must be effectively managed to improve QoL among individuals experiencing sleep disturbance.},
}

@article {pmid38979186,
year = {2024},
author = {Xiong, R and Fleming, E and Caldwell, R and Vernon, SD and Kozhaya, L and Gunter, C and Bateman, L and Unutmaz, D and Oh, J},
title = {BioMapAI: Artificial Intelligence Multi-Omics Modeling of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.},
journal = {bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1101/2024.06.24.600378},
pmid = {38979186},
issn = {2692-8205},
abstract = {Chronic diseases like ME/CFS and long COVID exhibit high heterogeneity with multifactorial etiology and progression, complicating diagnosis and treatment. To address this, we developed BioMapAI, an explainable Deep Learning framework using the richest longitudinal multi-'omics dataset for ME/CFS to date. This dataset includes gut metagenomics, plasma metabolome, immune profiling, blood labs, and clinical symptoms. By connecting multi-'omics to asymptom matrix, BioMapAI identified both disease- and symptom-specific biomarkers, reconstructed symptoms, and achieved state-of-the-art precision in disease classification. We also created the first connectivity map of these 'omics in both healthy and disease states and revealed how microbiome-immune-metabolome crosstalk shifted from healthy to ME/CFS. Thus, we proposed several innovative mechanistic hypotheses for ME/CFS: Disrupted microbial functions - SCFA (butyrate), BCAA (amino acid), tryptophan, benzoate - lost connection with plasma lipids and bile acids, and activated inflammatory and mucosal immune cells (MAIT, γδT cells) with INFγ and GzA secretion. These abnormal dynamics are linked to key disease symptoms, including gastrointestinal issues, fatigue, and sleep problems.},
}

@article {pmid38978664,
year = {2024},
author = {Jiang, S and Loomba, J and Zhou, A and Sharma, S and Sengupta, S and Liu, J and Brown, D},
title = {A Bayesian Survival Analysis on Long COVID and non Long COVID patients: A Cohort Study Using National COVID Cohort Collaborative (N3C) Data.},
journal = {medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1101/2024.06.25.24309478},
pmid = {38978664},
abstract = {Since the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, numerous researches and studies have focused on the long-term effects of COVID infection. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) implemented an additional code into the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) for reporting 'Post COVID-19 condition, unspecified (U09.9)' effective on October 1st 2021, representing that Long COVID is a real illness with potential chronic conditions. The National COVID Cohort Collaborative (N3C) provides researchers with abundant electronic health records (EHR) data by aggregating and harmonizing EHR data across different clinical organizations in the United States, making it convenient to build up a survival analysis on Long COVID patients and non Long COVID patients among large amounts of COVID positive patients.},
}

@article {pmid38978145,
year = {2024},
author = {Tang, L and Wang, Y and Li, X and Yang, L and Luo, Y and Li, C and He, Y},
title = {Epidemiological characteristics of first-time SARS-CoV-2 Omicron infection among hospital staff in Chengdu, China.},
journal = {Journal of health, population, and nutrition},
volume = {43},
number = {1},
pages = {104},
pmid = {38978145},
issn = {2072-1315},
mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/epidemiology ; China/epidemiology ; Female ; Male ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; *SARS-CoV-2 ; Personnel, Hospital/statistics & numerical data ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Incidence ; Disease Outbreaks ; Risk Factors ; COVID-19 Vaccines/administration & dosage ; Young Adult ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: After China ended its 'dynamic zero-COVID policy' on 7 December 2022, a large-scale outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron infections emerged across the country. We conducted a hospital-wide prospective study to document the epidemiological characteristics of the outbreak among healthcare workers in a hospital of Chengdu, where no previous staff SARS-CoV-2 infections were detected.

METHODS: All hospital staff members were invited to complete an online questionnaire on COVID-19 in January 2023, and SARS-CoV-2 infection cases were followed up by telephone in June 2023 to collect data on long COVID. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

RESULTS: A total of 2,899 hospital staff (93.5%) completed the online questionnaire, and 86.4% were infected with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron. The clinical manifestations of these patients were characterized by a high incidence of systemic symptoms. Cough (83.4%), fatigue (79.8%) and fever (74.3%) were the most frequently reported symptoms. Multivariable logistic analysis revealed that females [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 1.42, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.07-1.88] and clinical practitioners (aOR: 10.32, 95% CI: 6.57-16.20) were associated with an increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, whereas advanced age ≥ 60 years (aOR: 0.30, 95% CI: 0.19-0.49) and a three-dose COVID-19 vaccination with the most recent dose administered within 3 months before 7 December 2022 (aOR: 0.44, 95% CI: 0.23-0.87 for within 1 month; aOR: 0.46, 95% CI: 0.22-0.97 for within 1-3 months) were associated with reduced risk. Among the cases, 4.27% experienced long COVID of fatigue, brain fog or both, with the majority reporting minor symptoms.

CONCLUSION: Our findings provide a snapshot of the epidemiological situation of SARS-CoV-2 infection among healthcare workers in Chengdu after China's deregulation of COVID-19 control. Data in the study can aid in the development and implementation of effective measures to protect healthcare workers and maintain the integrity of healthcare systems during challenging times such as a rapid and widespread Omicron outbreak.},
}

Humans
*COVID-19/epidemiology
China/epidemiology
Female
Male
Adult
Middle Aged
Prospective Studies
*SARS-CoV-2
Personnel, Hospital/statistics & numerical data
Surveys and Questionnaires
Incidence
Disease Outbreaks
Risk Factors
COVID-19 Vaccines/administration & dosage
Young Adult

@article {pmid38977844,
year = {2024},
author = {Pietzner, M and Denaxas, S and Yasmeen, S and Ulmer, MA and Nakanishi, T and Arnold, M and Kastenmüller, G and Hemingway, H and Langenberg, C},
title = {Complex patterns of multimorbidity associated with severe COVID-19 and long COVID.},
journal = {Communications medicine},
volume = {4},
number = {1},
pages = {94},
pmid = {38977844},
issn = {2730-664X},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Early evidence that patients with (multiple) pre-existing diseases are at highest risk for severe COVID-19 has been instrumental in the pandemic to allocate critical care resources and later vaccination schemes. However, systematic studies exploring the breadth of medical diagnoses are scarce but may help to understand severe COVID-19 among patients at supposedly low risk.

METHODS: We systematically harmonized >12 million primary care and hospitalisation health records from ~500,000 UK Biobank participants into 1448 collated disease terms to systematically identify diseases predisposing to severe COVID-19 (requiring hospitalisation or death) and its post-acute sequalae, Long COVID.

RESULTS: Here we identify 679 diseases associated with an increased risk for severe COVID-19 (n = 672) and/or Long COVID (n = 72) that span almost all clinical specialties and are strongly enriched in clusters of cardio-respiratory and endocrine-renal diseases. For 57 diseases, we establish consistent evidence to predispose to severe COVID-19 based on survival and genetic susceptibility analyses. This includes a possible role of symptoms of malaise and fatigue as a so far largely overlooked risk factor for severe COVID-19. We finally observe partially opposing risk estimates at known risk loci for severe COVID-19 for etiologically related diseases, such as post-inflammatory pulmonary fibrosis or rheumatoid arthritis, possibly indicating a segregation of disease mechanisms.

CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide a unique reference that demonstrates how 1) complex co-occurrence of multiple - including non-fatal - conditions predispose to increased COVID-19 severity and 2) how incorporating the whole breadth of medical diagnosis can guide the interpretation of genetic risk loci.},
}

@article {pmid38977629,
year = {2024},
author = {Pszczołowska, M and Walczak, K and Miśków, W and Antosz, K and Batko, J and Karska, J and Leszek, J},
title = {Correction to: Molecular cross‑talk between long COVID‑19 and Alzheimer's disease.},
journal = {GeroScience},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1007/s11357-024-01271-4},
pmid = {38977629},
issn = {2509-2723},
}

@article {pmid38975933,
year = {2024},
author = {Jastifer, JR and Jastifer, EJ and Hoffman, MD},
title = {COVID-19 Infection in Ultramarathon Runners: Findings of the Ultrarunners Longitudinal TRAcking Study.},
journal = {Clinical journal of sport medicine : official journal of the Canadian Academy of Sport Medicine},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1097/JSM.0000000000001252},
pmid = {38975933},
issn = {1536-3724},
abstract = {OBJECTIVE: Ultramarathon runners are a unique patient population who have been shown to have a lower rate of severe chronic medical conditions. This study aimed to determine the effect that COVID-19 infection has had on this population and their running behavior.

DESIGN: The Ultrarunners Longitudinal TRAcking (ULTRA) Study is a large longitudinal study of ultramarathon runners. Questions on health status, running behavior, and COVID-19 infection were included in the most recent survey.

SETTING: Community survey.

PARTICIPANTS: Seven hundred thirty-four ultramarathon runners participated in the study.

INTERVENTIONS: None.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Personal, exercise, and COVID-19 infection history.

RESULTS: 52.7% of study participants reported having been symptomatic from a COVID-19 infection, with 6.7% testing positive multiple times. Participants required a total of 4 days of hospitalization. The most common symptoms included fever (73.6%), fatigue (68.5%), sore throat (68.2%), runny nose (67.7%), and cough (67.4%). Cardiovascular symptoms, which are of particular interest in the running population, included shortness of breath (46.3%), tachycardia (44.7%), chest pain (36.2%), and wheezing (33.3%). A total of 50 subjects (6.8%) reported long COVID (symptoms lasting more than 12 weeks).

CONCLUSIONS: Severe COVID-19 infection has been rare in this population of ultramarathon runners, although symptomatic infection that affects running is common. To support the well-being of this group of highly active athletes, clinicians should appreciate that cardiovascular symptoms are common and the long-term significance of these symptoms in runners is unknown.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 2 prospective study.},
}

@article {pmid38975007,
year = {2024},
author = {Seostianin, M and Burchardt, P},
title = {Myocardial involvement in post-COVID-19 condition: a note from the surgical approach.},
journal = {Cardiovascular diagnosis and therapy},
volume = {14},
number = {3},
pages = {314-317},
pmid = {38975007},
issn = {2223-3652},
}

@article {pmid38973985,
year = {2024},
author = {Dalmau, R and Alanazi, AM and Arora, M and Banerjee, A and Bianco, E and Gaalema, DE and Goma, FM and Hasegawa, K and Komiyama, M and Pérez Ríos, M and Willett, J and Wang, Y},
title = {A Complex Interplay: Navigating the Crossroads of Tobacco Use, Cardiovascular Disease, and the COVID-19 Pandemic: A WHF Policy Brief.},
journal = {Global heart},
volume = {19},
number = {1},
pages = {55},
pmid = {38973985},
issn = {2211-8179},
mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/epidemiology/prevention & control ; *Cardiovascular Diseases/epidemiology/prevention & control ; *Tobacco Use/epidemiology ; *SARS-CoV-2 ; Pandemics ; Risk Factors ; Health Policy ; },
abstract = {The Coronavirus Disease 2019, commonly referred to as COVID-19, is responsible for one of the deadliest pandemics in human history. The direct, indirect and lasting repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic on individuals and public health, as well as health systems can still be observed, even today. In the midst of the initial chaos, the role of tobacco as a prognostic factor for unfavourable COVID-19 outcomes was largely neglected. As of 2023, numerous studies have confirmed that use of tobacco, a leading risk factor for cardiovascular and other diseases, is strongly associated with increased risks of severe COVID-19 complications (e.g., hospitalisation, ICU admission, need for mechanical ventilation, long COVID, etc.) and deaths from COVID-19. In addition, evidence suggests that COVID-19 directly affects multiple organs beyond the respiratory system, disproportionately impacting individuals with comorbidities. Notably, people living with cardiovascular disease are more prone to experiencing worse outcomes, as COVID-19 often inherently manifests as thrombotic cardiovascular complications. As such, the triad of tobacco, COVID-19 and cardiovascular disease constitutes a dangerous cocktail. The lockdowns and social distancing measures imposed by governments have also had adverse effects on our lifestyles (e.g., shifts in diets, physical activity, tobacco consumption patterns, etc.) and mental well-being, all of which affect cardiovascular health. In particular, vulnerable populations are especially susceptible to tobacco use, cardiovascular disease and the psychological fallout from the pandemic. Therefore, national pandemic responses need to consider health equity as well as the social determinants of health. The pandemic has also had catastrophic impacts on many health systems, bringing some to the brink of collapse. As a result, many health services, such as services for cardiovascular disease or tobacco cessation, were severely disrupted due to fears of transmission and redirection of resources for COVID-19 care. Unfortunately, the return to pre-pandemic levels of cardiovascular disease care activity has stagnated. Nevertheless, digital solutions, such as telemedicine and apps, have flourished, and may help reduce the gaps. Advancing tobacco control was especially challenging due to interference from the tobacco industry. The industry exploited lingering uncertainties to propagate misleading information on tobacco and COVID-19 in order to promote its products. Regrettably, the links between tobacco use and risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection remain inconclusive. However, a robust body of evidence has, since then, demonstrated that tobacco use is associated with more severe COVID-19 illness and complications. Additionally, the tobacco industry also repeatedly attempted to forge partnerships with governments under the guise of corporate social responsibility. The implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control could address many of the aforementioned challenges and alleviate the burden of tobacco, COVID-19, and cardiovascular disease. In particular, the implementation of Article 5.3 could protect public health policies from the vested interests of the industry. The world can learn from the COVID-19 pandemic to better prepare for future health emergencies of international concern. In light of the impact of tobacco on the COVID-19 pandemic, it is imperative that tobacco control remains a central component in pandemic preparedness and response plans.},
}

Humans
*COVID-19/epidemiology/prevention & control
*Cardiovascular Diseases/epidemiology/prevention & control
*Tobacco Use/epidemiology
*SARS-CoV-2
Pandemics
Risk Factors
Health Policy

@article {pmid38972603,
year = {2024},
author = {Yotsuyanagi, H and Ohmagari, N and Doi, Y and Yamato, M and Fukushi, A and Imamura, T and Sakaguchi, H and Sonoyama, T and Sanaki, T and Ichihashi, G and Tsuge, Y and Uehara, T and Mukae, H},
title = {Prevention of Post COVID-19 Condition by Early Treatment with Ensitrelvir in the Phase 3 SCORPIO-SR Trial.},
journal = {Antiviral research},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {105958},
doi = {10.1016/j.antiviral.2024.105958},
pmid = {38972603},
issn = {1872-9096},
abstract = {This exploratory analysis of the double-blind, phase 3, SCORPIO-SR trial assessed the effect of ensitrelvir in preventing post coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) condition (PCC). Patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 were randomized (1:1:1) within 120 hours of symptom onset; received 5-day oral ensitrelvir 125 mg (375 mg on day 1), 250 mg (750 mg on day 1), or a matching placebo once daily; and were assessed for the severity of typical PCC symptoms using a self-administered questionnaire. In total, 341, 317, and 333 patients were assessed in the ensitrelvir 125-mg, ensitrelvir 250-mg, and placebo groups, respectively (mean age, 35.6-36.5 years; men, 53.3%-58.3%). On days 85, 169, and 337, ensitrelvir 125-mg treatment showed 32.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: -30.6, 66.1), 21.5% (95% CI: -37.3, 55.6), and 24.6% (95% CI: -43.7, 60.9) reductions versus placebo, respectively, in the risk of any of the 14 acute-phase COVID-19 symptoms (at least one mild, moderate, or severe symptom with general health not returning to the usual level). Ensitrelvir 250-mg treatment showed 10.9% (95% CI: -67.0, 52.8), 9.5% (95% CI: -56.6, 48.0), and 30.6% (95% CI: -36.2, 65.5) risk reductions versus placebo on days 85, 169, and 337, respectively. Risk reductions were observed in any of the 4 neurological symptoms and were more pronounced among patients with high acute-phase symptom scores at baseline and among those with a baseline body mass index ≥25 kg/m[2]. Ensitrelvir treatment in the acute phase of COVID-19 may reduce the risk of various symptoms associated with PCC. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: jRCT2031210350.},
}

@article {pmid38971080,
year = {2024},
author = {Gao, Y and Shen, Q and Zang, Y and Miao, T and Yang, M and Liu, Y and Zheng, X and Shen, S and Wu, W},
title = {COVID-19 vaccination and long COVID among 50 years older and above European: The role of chronic multimorbidity.},
journal = {Archives of gerontology and geriatrics},
volume = {126},
number = {},
pages = {105554},
doi = {10.1016/j.archger.2024.105554},
pmid = {38971080},
issn = {1872-6976},
abstract = {BACKGROUND AND AIMS: We aimed to explore the association between coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) vaccination and long COVID according to the status of chronic multimobidity.

METHODS: A total of 1913 participants were recruited in the cross-sectional study on the basis of the Survey of Health and Retirement in Europe. COVID-19 vaccination was defined as vaccination within the last 12 months. Chronic multimorbidity was defined as history of 2 + chronic disease. The study outcome was long COVID during the 12-month follow-up. Multivariable logistic models were performed to estimate the influence of chronic multimorbidity on the association of vaccination with long COVID. Net reclassification improvement (NRI) and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) were calculated.

RESULTS: Chronic multimorbidity significantly modified the association of COVID-19 vaccination with long COVID (Pinteraction = 0.024). The rates of study outcome were significantly lower among vaccinated participants in the chronic multimorbidity subgroup, but not in the other subgroup. Multivariable odds ratios (95 % confidence intervals) of study outcome for unvaccination vs. vaccination were 1.494 (1.013-2.203) in those with multimorbidity and 0.915 (0.654-1.280) in those without multimorbidity, respectively. Adding COVID-19 vaccination to a model containing conventional risk factors significantly improved risk reclassification for study outcome among those with chronic multimobidity (continuous NRI was 25.39 % [P = 0.002] and IDI was 0.42 % [P = 0.075]) CONCLUSION: An inverse association of COVID-19 vaccination with long COVID was found among participants with chronic multimorbidity, but not among those without chronic multimorbidity. Chronic multimorbidity might expand the influence of unvaccination on developing long COVID among European aged ≥50 years.},
}

@article {pmid38970653,
year = {2024},
author = {Rudroff, T},
title = {Frontal-striatal glucose metabolism and fatigue in patients with multiple sclerosis, long COVID, and COVID-19 recovered controls.},
journal = {Experimental brain research},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {38970653},
issn = {1432-1106},
support = {Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa//Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa/ ; Instrumentation Grant 1S10OD025025-01.//Instrumentation Grant 1S10OD025025-01./ ; RAMCHARGE (Colorado State University)//RAMCHARGE (Colorado State University)/ ; Colorado Translational Research Imaging Center (C-TRIC) at University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, CO.//Colorado Translational Research Imaging Center (C-TRIC) at University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, CO./ ; },
abstract = {This study compared brain glucose metabolism using FDG-PET in the caudate nucleus, putamen, globus pallidus, thalamus, and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) among patients with Long COVID, patients with fatigue, people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) patients with fatigue, and COVID recovered controls. PwMS exhibited greater hypometabolism compared to long COVID patients with fatigue and the COVID recovered control group in all studied brain areas except the globus pallidus (effect size range 0.7-1.5). The results showed no significant differences in glucose metabolism between patients with Long COVID and the COVID recovered control group in these regions. These findings suggest that long COVID fatigue may involve non-CNS systems, neurotransmitter imbalances, or psychological factors not captured by FDG-PET, while MS-related fatigue is associated with more severe frontal-striatal circuit dysfunction due to demyelination and neurodegeneration. Symmetrical standardized uptake values (SUVs) between hemispheres in all groups imply that fatigue in these conditions may be related to global or network-level alterations rather than hemisphere-specific changes. Future studies should employ fine-grained analysis methods, explore other brain regions, and control for confounding factors to better understand the pathophysiology of fatigue in MS and long COVID. Longitudinal studies tracking brain glucose metabolism in patients with Long COVID could provide insights into the evolution of metabolic patterns as the condition progresses.},
}

@article {pmid38970055,
year = {2024},
author = {Löhn, M and Wirth, KJ},
title = {Potential pathophysiological role of the ion channel TRPM3 in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and the therapeutic effect of low-dose naltrexone.},
journal = {Journal of translational medicine},
volume = {22},
number = {1},
pages = {630},
pmid = {38970055},
issn = {1479-5876},
mesh = {Humans ; *Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic/drug therapy ; *TRPM Cation Channels/metabolism ; *Naltrexone/therapeutic use/pharmacology/administration & dosage ; Animals ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Treatment Outcome ; },
abstract = {Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a debilitating disease with a broad overlap of symptomatology with Post-COVID Syndrome (PCS). Despite the severity of symptoms and various neurological, cardiovascular, microvascular, and skeletal muscular findings, no biomarkers have been identified. The Transient receptor potential melastatin 3 (TRPM3) channel, involved in pain transduction, thermosensation, transmitter and neuropeptide release, mechanoregulation, vasorelaxation, and immune defense, shows altered function in ME/CFS. Dysfunction of TRPM3 in natural killer (NK) cells, characterized by reduced calcium flux, has been observed in ME/CFS and PCS patients, suggesting a role in ineffective pathogen clearance and potential virus persistence and autoimmunity development. TRPM3 dysfunction in NK cells can be improved by naltrexone in vitro and ex vivo, which may explain the moderate clinical efficacy of low-dose naltrexone (LDN) treatment. We propose that TRPM3 dysfunction may have a broader involvement in ME/CFS pathophysiology, affecting other organs. This paper discusses TRPM3's expression in various organs and its potential impact on ME/CFS symptoms, with a focus on small nerve fibers and the brain, where TRPM3 is involved in presynaptic GABA release.},
}

Humans
*Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic/drug therapy
*TRPM Cation Channels/metabolism
*Naltrexone/therapeutic use/pharmacology/administration & dosage
Animals
Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
Treatment Outcome

@article {pmid38969238,
year = {2024},
author = {Halme, ALE and Laakkonen, S and Rutanen, J and Nevalainen, OPO and Sinisalo, M and Horstia, S and Mustonen, JMJ and Pourjamal, N and Vanhanen, A and Rosberg, T and Renner, A and Perola, M and Paukkeri, EL and Patovirta, RL and Parkkila, S and Paajanen, J and Nykänen, T and Mäntylä, J and Myllärniemi, M and Mattila, T and Leinonen, M and Külmäsu, A and Kuutti, P and Kuitunen, I and Kreivi, HR and Kilpeläinen, TP and Kauma, H and Kalliala, IEJ and Järvinen, P and Hankkio, R and Hammarén, T and Feuth, T and Ansakorpi, H and Ala-Karvia, R and Guyatt, GH and Tikkinen, KAO and , },
title = {Short- and long-term effects of imatinib in hospitalised COVID-19 patients: A randomised trial.},
journal = {The Journal of infection},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {106217},
doi = {10.1016/j.jinf.2024.106217},
pmid = {38969238},
issn = {1532-2742},
abstract = {OBJECTIVES: We studied the short- and long-term effects of imatinib in hospitalised COVID-19 patients.

METHODS: Participants were randomised to receive standard of care (SoC) or SoC with imatinib. Imatinib dosage was 400mg daily until discharge (max 14 days). Primary outcomes were mortality at 30 days and 1 year. Secondary outcomes included recovery, quality of life and long COVID symptoms at 1 year. We also performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised trials studying imatinib for 30-day mortality in hospitalised COVID-19 patients.

RESULTS: We randomised 156 patients (73 in SoC and 83 in imatinib). Among patients on imatinib, 7.2% had died at 30 days and 13.3% at 1 year and in SoC 4.1% and 8.2% (adjusted HR 1.35, 95% CI 0.47-3.90). At 1-year, self-reported recovery occurred in 79.0% in imatinib and in 88.5% in SoC (RR 0.91, 0.78-1.06). We found no convincing difference in quality of life or symptoms. Fatigue (24%) and sleep issues (20%) frequently bothered patients at one year. In the meta-analysis, imatinib was associated with a mortality risk ratio of 0.73 (0.32-1.63; low certainty evidence).

CONCLUSIONS: The evidence raises doubts regarding benefit of imatinib in reducing mortality, improving recovery and preventing long COVID symptoms in hospitalised COVID-19 patients.},
}

@article {pmid38967606,
year = {2024},
author = {Marcinkiewicz, J},
title = {Post-COVID-19 pandemic increased incidence of invasive bacterial infections: potential links with altered herd trained immunity.},
journal = {Polish archives of internal medicine},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.20452/pamw.16794},
pmid = {38967606},
issn = {1897-9483},
abstract = {There has been a global increase in the incidence of various infectious diseases observed since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. It could be hypothesized that this increase results from two independent phenomena. One is related to impaired immunity of long Covid patients. The second, the major, is associated with the long-term isolation of many people during the global pandemic lockdown resulting in an extreme reduction of contact with natural environmental human microbiota. This, in turn, led to a silencing state of the body's defense systems, including a decline of the pre-pandemic trained immunity (innate memory) that persists only for weeks to months after exposure. This decrease in trained immunity may be especially important for morbidity of infectious diseases without currently available vaccines, such as invasive Group A Streptococcus pyogenes (GAS) infections, primarily streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS). This review discusses the data that support the important role of trained macrophages in host defense and demonstrates the potential clinical implications of β-glucan, the major inducer of trained macrophages, for prophylactic and therapeutic use in a case of impaired personal innate immunity. Altogether, it might be speculated that trained innate immunity within an entire population can lead to the development of Herd Trained Immunity, the novel coined the medical term. HTI can supplement classical antigen-specific herd immunity (memory B and T cells) and plays a key role in preventing various infectious diseases, including invasive GAS infections. Unfortunately, the global HTI has been overthrown during the COVID-19 pandemic but it should be restored shortly.},
}

@article {pmid38967104,
year = {2024},
author = {Thurgur, H and Lynskey, M and Schlag, AK and Croser, C and Nutt, DJ and Iveson, E},
title = {Authors' response to letter 'On the use of open-label studies for the evaluation of cannabis-based products for the treatment of long-COVID'.},
journal = {British journal of clinical pharmacology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/bcp.16174},
pmid = {38967104},
issn = {1365-2125},
}

@article {pmid38966550,
year = {2024},
author = {Joung, JY and Lee, JS and Choi, Y and Kim, YJ and Oh, HM and Seo, HS and Son, CG},
title = {Evaluating myelophil, a 30% ethanol extract of Astragalus membranaceus and Salvia miltiorrhiza, for alleviating fatigue in long COVID: a real-world observational study.},
journal = {Frontiers in pharmacology},
volume = {15},
number = {},
pages = {1394810},
pmid = {38966550},
issn = {1663-9812},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Persistent post-infectious symptoms, predominantly fatigue, characterize Long COVID. This study investigated the efficacy of Myelophil (MYP), which contains metabolites extracted from Astragalus membranaceus and Salvia miltiorrhiza using 30% ethanol, in alleviating fatigue among subjects with Long COVID.

METHODS: In this prospective observational study, we enrolled subjects with significant fatigue related to Long COVID, using criteria of scores of 60 or higher on the modified Korean Chalder Fatigue scale (mKCFQ11), or five or higher on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for brain fog. Utilizing a single-arm design, participants were orally administered MYP (2,000 mg daily) for 4 weeks. Changes in fatigue severity were assessed using mKCFQ11, Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI-20), and VAS for fatigue and brain fog. In addition, changes in quality of life using the short form 12 (SF-12) were also assessed along with plasma cortisol levels.

RESULTS: A total of 50 participants (18 males, 32 females) were enrolled; 49 were included in the intention-to-treat analysis with scores of 66.9 ± 11.7 on mKCFQ11 and 6.3 ± 1.5 on the brain fog VAS. After 4 weeks of MYP administration, there were statistically significant improvements in fatigue levels: mKCFQ11 was measured at 34.8 ± 17.1 and brain fog VAS at 3.0 ± 1.9. Additionally, MFI-20 decreased from 64.8 ± 9.8 to 49.3 ± 10.8, fatigue VAS dropped from 7.4 ± 1.0 to 3.4 ± 1.7, SF-12 scores rose from 53.3 ± 14.9 to 78.6 ± 14.3, and plasma cortisol levels also elevated from 138.8 ± 50.1 to 176.9 ± 62.0 /mL. No safety concerns emerged during the trial.

CONCLUSION: Current findings underline MYP's potential in managing Long COVID-induced fatigue. However, comprehensive studies remain imperative.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: https://cris.nih.go.kr, identifier KCT0008948.},
}

@article {pmid38966504,
year = {2024},
author = {Sarfraz, A and Sarfraz, Z and Bano, S and Sarfraz, M and Jaan, A and Minhas, A and Razzack, AA and Patel, G and Manish, KC and Makkar, SS and Garimella, R and Pandav, K and Almonte, J and Paul, T and Almonte, T and Jimenez, L and Pantoga, JC and El Mazboudi, N and Yatzkan, G and Michel, G and Michel, J},
title = {Global Perspective on COVID-19 Therapies, Cardiovascular Outcomes, and Implications for Long COVID: A State-of-the-Art Review.},
journal = {Journal of community hospital internal medicine perspectives},
volume = {14},
number = {2},
pages = {58-66},
pmid = {38966504},
issn = {2000-9666},
abstract = {The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in many therapies, of which many are repurposed and used for other diseases in the last decade such in Influenza and Ebola. We intend to provide a robust foundation for cardiovascular outcomes of the therapies to better understand the rationale for the clinical trials that were conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to gain more clarity on the steps moving forward should the repurposing provide clinical benefit in pandemic situations. With this state-of-the-art review, we aim to improve the understanding of the cardiovascular involvement of the therapies prior to, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic to provide meaningful findings to the cardiovascular specialists and clinical trials for therapies, moving on from the period of pandemic urgency.},
}

@article {pmid38966282,
year = {2024},
author = {Perez, O and Santibañez, M and Rasines, L and Castillo, JM and Aginagalde-Llorente, AH},
title = {Long-Term Patient Symptoms and Quality of Life in Adults After COVID-19: A Real Life Study.},
journal = {Open respiratory archives},
volume = {6},
number = {3},
pages = {100336},
pmid = {38966282},
issn = {2659-6636},
abstract = {OBJECTIVE: To characterize long-term patient-reported symptoms and quality of life, in adults after COVID-19.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study in Cantabria (Northern Spain) including adults with PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (n = 694) with a time period between 4.7 and 24 month post-SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis, and their close contacts (n = 663) (PCR negative and without suspected infection) obtained from simple random sampling of a total of 47,773 cases and 94,301 close contacts. The ISARIC survey was used as screening tool with self-reported "non-feeling fully recovery (NFFR)" defined as primary outcome.

RESULTS: 16.57% (n = 115/694) reported NFFR. Most prevalent symptoms were in order of frequency: Fatigue (54.8%); Loss of smell (40.9%); Problems speaking or communicating (29.6%); Loss of taste (28.7%); Confusion/lack of concentration (27.8%); Persistent muscle pain (24.3%) and Shortness of breath/breathlessness (23.5%). When comparing the three ordinal groups (Close contacts, COVID-19 feeling recovered, and COVID-19 NFFR) the prevalence of these symptoms was increasingly higher among each ordinal group (p < 0.001). Female gender was significantly associated with NFFR: (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.56); as well as older age: aOR per 10 year increment = 1.15. Lastly, they scored on average 9.63 points less in Euroquol.

CONCLUSIONS: More than 15% of patients in our real-life population-based study, reported NFFR, being female sex and older age independent predictors of this condition. Most symptoms in these patients were in accordance with WHO definition of post COVID-19 condition in adults, and were less prevalent in COVID-19 feeling recovered and close contact respectively, with a statistically significant dose-response pattern, and with a large decrease in quality of life according to Euroquol.},
}

@article {pmid38965890,
year = {2024},
author = {Volcic, M and Nchioua, R and Pastorio, C and Zech, F and Haußmann, I and Sauter, D and Read, C and Walther, P and Kirchhoff, F},
title = {Attenuated replication and damaging effects of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants in an intestinal epithelial barrier model.},
journal = {Journal of medical virology},
volume = {96},
number = {7},
pages = {e29783},
doi = {10.1002/jmv.29783},
pmid = {38965890},
issn = {1096-9071},
support = {//SA 2676/3-1/ ; //Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) under CRC1279/ ; },
mesh = {Humans ; *SARS-CoV-2/pathogenicity ; Caco-2 Cells ; *Virus Replication ; *COVID-19/virology/pathology ; *Intestinal Mucosa/virology/pathology ; *Tight Junctions/virology ; Alanine/analogs & derivatives ; Zonula Occludens-1 Protein/metabolism/genetics ; Antiviral Agents/pharmacology ; HT29 Cells ; Occludin/metabolism/genetics ; Adenosine Monophosphate/analogs & derivatives ; },
abstract = {Many COVID-19 patients suffer from gastrointestinal symptoms and impaired intestinal barrier function is thought to play a key role in Long COVID. Despite its importance, the impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on intestinal epithelia is poorly understood. To address this, we established an intestinal barrier model integrating epithelial Caco-2 cells, mucus-secreting HT29 cells and Raji cells. This gut epithelial model allows efficient differentiation of Caco-2 cells into microfold-like cells, faithfully mimics intestinal barrier function, and is highly permissive to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Early strains of SARS-CoV-2 and the Delta variant replicated with high efficiency, severely disrupted barrier function, and depleted tight junction proteins, such as claudin-1, occludin, and ZO-1. In comparison, Omicron subvariants also depleted ZO-1 from tight junctions but had fewer damaging effects on mucosal integrity and barrier function. Remdesivir, the fusion inhibitor EK1 and the transmembrane serine protease 2 inhibitor Camostat inhibited SARS-CoV-2 replication and thus epithelial barrier damage, while the Cathepsin inhibitor E64d was ineffective. Our results support that SARS-CoV-2 disrupts intestinal barrier function but further suggest that circulating Omicron variants are less damaging than earlier viral strains.},
}

Humans
*SARS-CoV-2/pathogenicity
Caco-2 Cells
*Virus Replication
*COVID-19/virology/pathology
*Intestinal Mucosa/virology/pathology
*Tight Junctions/virology
Alanine/analogs & derivatives
Zonula Occludens-1 Protein/metabolism/genetics
Antiviral Agents/pharmacology
HT29 Cells
Occludin/metabolism/genetics
Adenosine Monophosphate/analogs & derivatives

@article {pmid38965510,
year = {2024},
author = {Sk Abd Razak, R and Ismail, A and Abdul Aziz, AF and Suddin, LS and Azzeri, A and Sha'ari, NI},
title = {Post-COVID syndrome prevalence: a systematic review and meta-analysis.},
journal = {BMC public health},
volume = {24},
number = {1},
pages = {1785},
pmid = {38965510},
issn = {1471-2458},
mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/epidemiology ; Prevalence ; *Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome ; SARS-CoV-2 ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Since the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic began, the number of individuals recovering from COVID-19 infection have increased. Post-COVID Syndrome, or PCS, which is defined as signs and symptoms that develop during or after infection in line with COVID-19, continue beyond 12 weeks, and are not explained by an alternative diagnosis, has also gained attention. We systematically reviewed and determined the pooled prevalence estimate of PCS worldwide based on published literature.

METHODS: Relevant articles from the Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Ovid MEDLINE databases were screened using a Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses-guided systematic search process. The included studies were in English, published from January 2020 to April 2024, had overall PCS prevalence as one of the outcomes studied, involved a human population with confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis and undergone assessment at 12 weeks post-COVID infection or beyond. As the primary outcome measured, the pooled prevalence of PCS was estimated from a meta-analysis of the PCS prevalence data extracted from individual studies, which was conducted via the random-effects model. This study has been registered on PROSPERO (CRD42023435280).

RESULTS: Forty eight studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in this review. 16 were accepted for meta-analysis to estimate the pooled prevalence for PCS worldwide, which was 41.79% (95% confidence interval [CI] 39.70-43.88%, I[2] = 51%, p = 0.03). Based on different assessment or follow-up timepoints after acute COVID-19 infection, PCS prevalence estimated at ≥ 3rd, ≥ 6th, and ≥ 12th months timepoints were each 45.06% (95% CI: 41.25-48.87%), 41.30% (95% CI: 34.37-48.24%), and 41.32% (95% CI: 39.27-43.37%), respectively. Sex-stratified PCS prevalence was estimated at 47.23% (95% CI: 44.03-50.42%) in male and 52.77% (95% CI: 49.58-55.97%) in female. Based on continental regions, pooled PCS prevalence was estimated at 46.28% (95% CI: 39.53%-53.03%) in Europe, 46.29% (95% CI: 35.82%-56.77%) in America, 49.79% (95% CI: 30.05%-69.54%) in Asia, and 42.41% (95% CI: 0.00%-90.06%) in Australia.

CONCLUSION: The prevalence estimates in this meta-analysis could be used in further comprehensive studies on PCS, which might enable the development of better PCS management plans to reduce the effect of PCS on population health and the related economic burden.},
}

Humans
*COVID-19/epidemiology
Prevalence
*Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome
SARS-CoV-2

@article {pmid38965271,
year = {2024},
author = {Danzer, B and Jukic, M and Dunkel, A and Andersen, G and Lieder, B and Schaudy, E and Stadlmayr, S and Lietard, J and Michel, T and Krautwurst, D and Haller, B and Knolle, P and Somoza, M and Lingor, P and Somoza, V},
title = {Impaired metal perception and regulation of associated human foliate papillae tongue transcriptome in long-COVID-19.},
journal = {Scientific reports},
volume = {14},
number = {1},
pages = {15408},
pmid = {38965271},
issn = {2045-2322},
mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/virology/genetics/metabolism ; Male ; Female ; *Transcriptome ; Adult ; *SARS-CoV-2 ; Middle Aged ; *Tongue/metabolism/virology/pathology ; Immunoglobulin G ; Metals/metabolism ; Taste Buds/metabolism ; Taste Perception/genetics ; Taste ; Receptors, Odorant/genetics/metabolism ; Olfactory Perception ; },
abstract = {Chemosensory impairment is an outstanding symptom of SARS-CoV-2 infections. We hypothesized that measured sensory impairments are accompanied by transcriptomic changes in the foliate papillae area of the tongue. Hospital personnel with known SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G (IgG) status completed questionnaires on sensory perception (n = 158). A subcohort of n = 141 participated in forced choice taste tests, and n = 43 participants consented to donate tongue swabs of the foliate papillae area for whole transcriptome analysis. The study included four groups of participants differing in IgG levels (≥ 10 AU/mL = IgG[+]; < 10 AU/mL = IgG[-]) and self-reported sensory impairment (SSI[±]). IgG[+] subjects not detecting metallic taste had higher IgG[+] levels than IgG[+] participants detecting iron gluconate (p = 0.03). Smell perception was the most impaired biological process in the transcriptome data from IgG[+]/SSI[+] participants subjected to gene ontology enrichment. IgG[+]/SSI[+] subjects demonstrated lower expression levels of 166 olfactory receptors (OR) and 9 taste associated receptors (TAS) of which OR1A2, OR2J2, OR1A1, OR5K1 and OR1G1, as well as TAS2R7 are linked to metallic perception. The question raised by this study is whether odorant receptors on the tongue (i) might play a role in metal sensation, and (ii) are potential targets for virus-initiated sensory impairments, which needs to be investigated in future functional studies.},
}

Humans
*COVID-19/virology/genetics/metabolism
Male
Female
*Transcriptome
Adult
*SARS-CoV-2
Middle Aged
*Tongue/metabolism/virology/pathology
Immunoglobulin G
Metals/metabolism
Taste Buds/metabolism
Taste Perception/genetics
Taste
Receptors, Odorant/genetics/metabolism
Olfactory Perception

@article {pmid38964752,
year = {2024},
author = {Gorbenko, AA and Cohen, AA},
title = {On the use of open-label studies for the evaluation of cannabis-based products for the treatment of long COVID.},
journal = {British journal of clinical pharmacology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/bcp.16169},
pmid = {38964752},
issn = {1365-2125},
}

@article {pmid38963942,
year = {2024},
author = {Francavilla, B and Velletrani, G and Fiorelli, D and Maurantonio, S and Passali, FM and Schirinzi, T and Bernardini, S and Di Girolamo, S and Nuccetelli, M},
title = {Circulating calprotectin as a potential biomarker of persistent olfactory dysfunctions in Post-COVID-19 patients.},
journal = {Cytokine},
volume = {181},
number = {},
pages = {156688},
doi = {10.1016/j.cyto.2024.156688},
pmid = {38963942},
issn = {1096-0023},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: This longitudinal prospective study aims to investigate the potential of circulating calprotectin (cCLP) as a biomarker in persistent olfactory dysfunctions following COVID-19 infection.

METHODS: Thirty-six patients with persistent hyposmia or anosmia post COVID-19 were enrolled (HT0) and re-evaluated after three months of olfactory training (HT1). Two control groups included 18 subjects without olfactory defects post COVID-19 (CG1) and 18 healthy individuals (CG2). Nasal brushing of the olfactory cleft and blood collection were performed to assess circulating calprotectin levels.

RESULTS: Higher calprotectin levels were observed in serum and nasal supernatant of hyposmic patients (HT0) compared to control groups (CG1 and CG2). Post-olfactory training (HT1), olfactory function improved significantly, paralleled by decreased calprotectin levels in serum and nasal samples. Circulating calprotectin holds potential as a biomarker in persistent olfactory dysfunctions after COVID-19. The decrease in calprotectin levels post-olfactory training implies a role in monitoring and evaluating treatment responses.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: These findings contribute to the growing literature on potential biomarkers in post-COVID-19 olfactory dysfunctions and underscore the importance of investigating novel biomarkers for personalized patient management. Nevertheless, further studies are needed to validate the application of calprotectin assay in nasal diseases and its correlation with nasal cytology.},
}

@article {pmid38962781,
year = {2024},
author = {Schwartz, CE and Borowiec, K and Waldman, AH and Sutherland, T and Contreras, B and Abatan, E and Huang, IC and Rohde, G and Rapkin, BD and Skolasky, RL},
title = {Emerging priorities and concerns in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic: qualitative and quantitative findings from a United States national survey.},
journal = {Frontiers in public health},
volume = {12},
number = {},
pages = {1365657},
pmid = {38962781},
issn = {2296-2565},
mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/epidemiology/psychology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Male ; Female ; United States/epidemiology ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; *Quality of Life/psychology ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Aged ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Pandemics ; },
abstract = {PURPOSE: The present study examines how the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) experience affected values and priorities.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study collected data between January and April 2023, from 1,197 individuals who are chronically ill or part of a general population sample. Using open-ended prompts and closed-ended questions, we investigated individuals' perceptions about COVID-19-induced changes in what quality of life means to them, what and who are important, life focus, and changes in norms and stressors. Data analyses included content and psychometric analysis, leading to latent profile analysis (LPA) to characterize distinct groups, and analysis of variance and chi-squared to compare profile groups' demographic characteristics.

RESULTS: About 75% of the study sample noted changes in values and/or priorities, particularly in the greater prominence of family and friends. LPA yielded a four-profile model that fit the data well. Profile 1 (Index group; 64% of the sample) had relatively average scores on all indicators. Profile 2 (COVID-Specific Health & Resignation to Isolation Attributable to COVID-19; 5%) represented COVID-19-specific preventive health behaviors along with noting the requisite isolation and disengagement entailed in the social distancing necessary for COVID-19 prevention. Profile 3 (High Stress, Low Trust; 25%) represented high multi-domain stress, with the most elevated scores both on focusing on being true to themselves and perceiving people to be increasingly uncivil. Profile 4 (Active in the World, Low Trust; 6%) was focused on returning to work and finding greater meaning in their activities. These groups differed on race, marital status, difficulty paying bills, employment status, number of times they reported having had COVID-19, number of COVID-19 boosters received, whether they had Long COVID, age, BMI, and number of comorbidities.

CONCLUSION: Three years after the beginning of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, its subjective impact is notable on most study participants' conceptualization of quality of life, priorities, perspectives on social norms, and perceived stressors. The four profile groups reflected distinct ways of dealing with the long-term effects of COVID-19.},
}

Humans
*COVID-19/epidemiology/psychology
Cross-Sectional Studies
Male
Female
United States/epidemiology
Middle Aged
Adult
*Quality of Life/psychology
Surveys and Questionnaires
Aged
SARS-CoV-2
Pandemics

@article {pmid38961833,
year = {2024},
author = {Shigematsu, L and Kimura, R and Terai, H and Mimura, Y and Ito, D and Bun, S and Namkoong, H and Asakura, T and Chubachi, S and Masaki, K and Ohgino, K and Miyata, J and Kawada, I and Ishii, M and Takemura, R and Ueda, S and Yoshiyama, T and Kokuto, H and Kusumoto, T and Oashi, A and Miyawaki, M and Saito, F and Tani, T and Ishioka, K and Takahashi, S and Nakamura, M and Sato, Y and Fukunaga, K},
title = {Social impact of brain fog and analysis of risk factors: Long COVID in Japanese population.},
journal = {Annals of clinical and translational neurology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1002/acn3.52139},
pmid = {38961833},
issn = {2328-9503},
support = {JP 21fk0108431//Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development/ ; JP 21fk0108553//Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development/ ; JP 21fk0108563//Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development/ ; JP 21fk0108573//Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development/ ; JP 22fk0108510//Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development/ ; JP 22fk0108513//Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development/ ; JP 22fk0108573//Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development/ ; JP 22wm0325031//Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development/ ; JP20fk0108415//Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development/ ; JP20fk0108452//Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development/ ; JP20nk0101612//Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development/ ; 20CA2054//Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare/ ; JPMH21HA2011//Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare/ ; JPMH23HA2011//Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare/ ; JPMJCR20H2//Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology/ ; JPMJPR21R7//Precursory Research for Embryonic Science and Technology/ ; },
abstract = {OBJECTIVE: To reveal the clinical features and assess risk factors linked to brain fog and its societal implications, including labor productivity, providing valuable insights for the future care of individuals who have experienced coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

METHODS: We analyzed a comprehensive cohort dataset comprising 1,009 patients with COVID-19 admitted to Japanese hospitals. To assess brain fog, we analyzed patients who responded to a questionnaire indicating symptoms such as memory impairment and poor concentration.

RESULTS: The prevalence of brain fog symptoms decreased 3 months posthospitalization but remained stable up to 12 months. Neurological symptoms such as taste and smell disorders and numbness at hospitalization correlated with a higher frequency of identifying brain fog as a long COVID manifestation. Our findings indicated that advanced age, female sex, a high body mass index, oxygen required during hospitalization, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, and elevated C-reactive protein and elevated D-dimer levels were risk factors in patients exhibiting brain fog. Additionally, we demonstrated the negative impact of brain fog on labor productivity by presenteeism scores.

INTERPRETATIONS: This study clarified the clinical characteristics of patients experiencing brain fog as a long COVID manifestation, specifically emphasizing neurological symptoms during hospitalization and their correlation with brain fog. Additionally, the study identified associated risk factors for its onset and revealed that the emergence of brain fog was linked to a decline in labor productivity.},
}

@article {pmid38961771,
year = {2024},
author = {de Souza, ITC and Dos Santos, EGG and da Costa, RVA and Ferreira, WDN and Santana, KJ and Felix, JVDS and Brandão, CBF and Candeia, AA and Nascimento, LMDS and da Silva, ACT and Ferreira, CAS and Queiroz, MHBS and Silva, JS and Lima, JHM and Pedrosa, R and Onofre, T and de França, EET},
title = {Effects of high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation combined with inspiratory muscle training for treating respiratory sequelae of long COVID: A case series.},
journal = {Physiotherapy research international : the journal for researchers and clinicians in physical therapy},
volume = {29},
number = {3},
pages = {e2109},
doi = {10.1002/pri.2109},
pmid = {38961771},
issn = {1471-2865},
mesh = {Humans ; Female ; Male ; *Breathing Exercises ; *COVID-19 ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; *Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation ; Adult ; *Respiratory Muscles/physiopathology ; *Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Treatment Outcome ; Muscle Strength/physiology ; Respiratory Function Tests ; },
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Long COVID occurs when numerous symptoms begin 3 weeks after acute infection and last for 12 months or more. High-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) has been tested in patients with COVID-19; however, previous studies did not investigate the HD-tDCS use combined with inspiratory muscle training (IMT) for respiratory sequelae of long COVID.

CASE PRESENTATION: Six individuals (four women and two men) aged between 29 and 71 years and presenting with respiratory sequelae of long COVID were included. They were submitted to an intervention that comprised HD-tDCS combined with IMT twice a week for 5 weeks. Lung function and respiratory muscle assessments were performed at baseline and after 5 weeks of intervention.

HD-tDCS may enhance the IMT effects by increasing respiratory muscle strength, efficiency, and lung function of individuals with long COVID.},
}

Humans
Female
Male
*Breathing Exercises
*COVID-19
Middle Aged
Aged
*Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
Adult
*Respiratory Muscles/physiopathology
*Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome
SARS-CoV-2
Treatment Outcome
Muscle Strength/physiology
Respiratory Function Tests

@article {pmid38961383,
year = {2024},
author = {Neu, F and Nay, S and Schuchardt, S and Klawonn, F and Skripuletz, T and Suehs, KW and Pessler, F},
title = {Targeted metabolomics identifies accurate CSF metabolite biomarkers for the differentiation between COVID-19 with neurological involvement and CNS infections with neurotropic viral pathogens.},
journal = {Journal of translational medicine},
volume = {22},
number = {1},
pages = {620},
pmid = {38961383},
issn = {1479-5876},
mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/cerebrospinal fluid/virology ; *Biomarkers/cerebrospinal fluid ; *Metabolomics/methods ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; *SARS-CoV-2 ; Aged ; Adult ; Central Nervous System Infections/cerebrospinal fluid/virology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: COVID-19 is primarily considered a respiratory tract infection, but it can also affect the central nervous system (CNS), which can result in long-term sequelae. In contrast to CNS infections by classic neurotropic viruses, SARS-CoV-2 is usually not detected in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from patients with COVID-19 with neurological involvement (neuro-COVID), suggesting fundamental differences in pathogenesis.

METHODS: To assess differences in CNS metabolism in neuro-COVID compared to CNS infections with classic neurotropic viruses, we applied a targeted metabolomic analysis of 630 metabolites to CSF from patients with (i) COVID-19 with neurological involvement [n = 16, comprising acute (n = 13) and post-COVID-19 (n = 3)], (ii) viral meningitis, encephalitis, or myelitis (n = 10) due to herpes simplex virus (n = 2), varicella zoster virus (n = 6), enterovirus (n = 1) and tick-borne encephalitis virus (n = 1), and (iii) aseptic neuroinflammation (meningitis, encephalitis, or myelitis) of unknown etiology (n = 21) as additional disease controls.

RESULTS: Standard CSF parameters indicated absent or low neuroinflammation in neuro-COVID. Indeed, CSF cell count was low in neuro-COVID (median 1 cell/µL, range 0-12) and discriminated it accurately from viral CNS infections (AUC = 0.99) and aseptic neuroinflammation (AUC = 0.98). 32 CSF metabolites passed quality assessment and were included in the analysis. Concentrations of differentially abundant (fold change ≥|1.5|, FDR ≤ 0.05) metabolites were both higher (9 and 5 metabolites) and lower (2 metabolites) in neuro-COVID than in the other two groups. Concentrations of citrulline, ceramide (d18:1/18:0), and methionine were most significantly elevated in neuro-COVID. Remarkably, triglyceride TG(20:1_32:3) was much lower (mean fold change = 0.09 and 0.11) in neuro-COVID than in all viral CNS infections and most aseptic neuroinflammation samples, identifying it as highly accurate biomarker with AUC = 1 and 0.93, respectively. Across all samples, TG(20:1_32:3) concentration correlated only moderately with CSF cell count (ρ = 0.65), protein concentration (ρ = 0.64), and Q-albumin (ρ = 0.48), suggesting that its low levels in neuro-COVID CSF are only partially explained by less pronounced neuroinflammation.

CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that CNS metabolite responses in neuro-COVID differ fundamentally from viral CNS infections and aseptic neuroinflammation and may be used to discover accurate diagnostic biomarkers in CSF and to gain insights into differences in pathophysiology between neuro-COVID, viral CNS infections and aseptic neuroinflammation.},
}

Humans
*COVID-19/cerebrospinal fluid/virology
*Biomarkers/cerebrospinal fluid
*Metabolomics/methods
Male
Female
Middle Aged
*SARS-CoV-2
Aged
Adult
Central Nervous System Infections/cerebrospinal fluid/virology
Diagnosis, Differential

@article {pmid38961009,
year = {2024},
author = {Weigel, B and Eaton-Fitch, N and Thapaliya, K and Marshall-Gradisnik, S},
title = {Illness presentation and quality of life in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome and post COVID-19 condition: a pilot Australian cross-sectional study.},
journal = {Quality of life research : an international journal of quality of life aspects of treatment, care and rehabilitation},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {38961009},
issn = {1573-2649},
support = {489798//Stafford Fox Medical Research Foundation/ ; 1199502//National Health and Medical Research Council/ ; 47107//Mason Foundation/ ; 49979//McCusker Charitable Foundation/ ; 4676//Buxton Foundation/ ; 4879//Henty Community/ ; 4579//Blake Beckett Trust Foundation/ ; 4570//Alison Hunter Memorial Foundation/ ; 4575//Change for ME Charity/ ; },
abstract = {PURPOSE: Post COVID-19 Condition (PCC), being persistent COVID-19 symptoms, is reminiscent of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)-a chronic multi-systemic illness characterised by neurocognitive, autonomic, endocrinological and immunological disturbances. This novel cross-sectional investigation aims to: (1) compare symptoms among people with ME/CFS (pwME/CFS) and people with PCC (pwPCC) to inform developing PCC diagnostic criteria; and (2) compare health outcomes between patients and people without acute or chronic illness (controls) to highlight the illness burdens of ME/CFS and PCC.

METHODS: Sociodemographic and health outcome data were collected from n = 61 pwME/CFS, n = 31 pwPCC and n = 54 controls via validated, self-administered questionnaires, including the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey version 2 (SF-36v2) and World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule version 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0). PwME/CFS and pwPCC also provided self-reported severity and frequency of symptoms derived from the Canadian and International Consensus Criteria for ME/CFS and the World Health Organization case definition for PCC.

RESULTS: Both illness cohorts similarly experienced key ME/CFS symptoms. Few differences in symptoms were observed, with memory disturbances, muscle weakness, lymphadenopathy and nausea more prevalent, light-headedness more severe, unrefreshed sleep more frequent, and heart palpitations less frequent among pwME/CFS (all p < 0.05). The ME/CFS and PCC participants' SF-36v2 or WHODAS 2.0 scores were comparable (all p > 0.05); however, both cohorts returned significantly lower scores in all SF-36v2 and WHODAS 2.0 domains when compared with controls (all p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: This Australian-first investigation demonstrates the congruent and debilitating nature of ME/CFS and PCC, thereby emphasising the need for multidisciplinary care to maximise patient health outcomes.},
}

@article {pmid38961007,
year = {2024},
author = {Debie, Y and Palte, Z and Salman, H and Verbruggen, L and Vanhoutte, G and Chhajlani, S and Raats, S and Roelant, E and Vandamme, T and Peeters, M and van Dam, PA},
title = {Long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic for patients with cancer.},
journal = {Quality of life research : an international journal of quality of life aspects of treatment, care and rehabilitation},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {38961007},
issn = {1573-2649},
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Long COVID is defined as the continuation of symptoms, unexplainable by alternative diagnosis, longer than four weeks after SARS-CoV-2 infection. These symptoms might hinder daily activities and overall well-being, ultimately impacting quality of life (QoL). Several studies have reported fatigue as the most common symptom, followed by dyspnoea, headache and myalgia. Although it is assumed that long COVID affects 10-20% of SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals, recently numbers up to 60% were described for patients with cancer. This study uncovers the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on QoL of patients with cancer and how long COVID manifests in this cohort.

METHODS: A group of 96 patients with cancer was followed from March 2022 till March 2023. Online questionnaires assessing symptoms associated with long COVID, anxiety and depression (HADS), quality of life (EORTC-QLQ-C30) and cognitive functioning (CFQ) were sent every three months during this period. Furthermore, a semi-structured focus group was organised for qualitative data collection.

RESULTS: Overall, these patients reported a negative impact of the enforced COVID-19 restrictions on the emotional and psychological wellbeing. Forty nine patients with cancer (51.0%) were infected with SARS-CoV-2 over the course of the study, of which 39 (79.6%) reported long COVID symptoms. The most commonly reported symptoms were myalgia (46.2%), fatigue (38.5%) and disturbed sleep (35.9%) and it was observed that male sex is associated with poor long COVID outcomes.

CONCLUSION: While patients with cancer experience similar long COVID symptoms as healthy controls, the prevalence is remarkably higher possibly due to their compromised immune system and weakened physiological reserve.},
}

@article {pmid38960797,
year = {2024},
author = {García-Meléndez, DD and Presa, RM and Castro, PQ and Calleja, BS and Calvo, SR and Morales-Casado, MI},
title = {Comparative imaging study of patients with persistent olfactory dysfunction due to mild COVID-19 using structural and functional MRI.},
journal = {Medicina clinica},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.medcli.2024.04.021},
pmid = {38960797},
issn = {1578-8989},
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Persistent post-COVID olfactory dysfunction continues to be studied due to the controversy in its pathophysiology and neuroimaging.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The patients had confirmed mild COVID-19 infection with olfactory dysfunction of more than one month of evolution and they were compared to controls with normal olfaction, assessed using the Sniffin' Sticks Olfactory Test and underwent brain, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the olfactory bulb and olfactory function.

RESULTS: A total of 8 patients and 2 controls participated. The average age of the patients was 34.5 years (SD 8.5), and that of the controls was 28.5 (SD 2.1). The average score in the patients' olfactory test was 7.9 points (SD 2.2). In brain and olfactory bulb MRI tests, no morphological differences were found. When evaluated by functional MRI, none of the patients activated the entorhinal area in comparison to the controls, who did show activation at this level. Activation of secondary olfactory areas in cases and controls were as follows: orbitofrontal (25% vs 100%), basal ganglia (25% vs 50%) and insula (38% vs 0%) respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: There were no observed morphological changes in the brain MRI. Unlike the controls, none of the patients activated the entorhinal cortex in the olfactory functional MRI.},
}