Articles tagged with Long Covid
A new study found that over 155,000 US deaths between March 2020 and December 2021 were not officially recorded as COVID-19 deaths, highlighting critical gaps in the death investigation system. These unrecognized deaths disproportionately affected certain populations, including racial and ethnic minorities.
A large randomized trial found that high-dose vitamin D3 did not reduce COVID-19 infection severity, but may impact long COVID outcomes. Researchers observed a promising signal that vitamin D supplementation could reduce long COVID symptoms, warranting further research in larger populations.
Severe COVID-19 and influenza infections can prime the lungs for cancer development, according to new research. Vaccination, however, largely prevents these changes, suggesting a reduced risk of lung cancer.
A new study from Linköping University has identified common steps and turning points in patients' stories, contributing to new ways of understanding and rehabilitating conditions like post-COVID-19 condition, exhaustion disorder, and chronic fatigue syndrome. Participants described seeking knowledge outside the healthcare system and fi...
A new Tulane University study reveals that SARS-CoV-2 infection causes persistent brain inflammation and small blood vessel injury, even after the virus is no longer detectable. This finding helps explain why long COVID often includes neurological symptoms such as brain fog and fatigue.
A phase 3 trial will assess the efficacy of baricitinib in reducing persistent neurological and cardiopulmonary symptoms of long COVID. The study, REVERSE-LC, aims to address the massive public health problem of long COVID, which affects millions worldwide.
A new study found that patients with Long COVID have a larger choroid plexus, which tracks with Alzheimer's disease markers and greater dementia risk. The research also suggests that CP alterations may predict long-term cognitive issues in some individuals.
Researchers found that certain types of CD8+ killer T cells are more abundant in people with MS and target the EBV virus, indicating the virus may trigger an immune response leading to progressive neurological damage. The study suggests that interfering with EBV could have a significant impact on other autoimmune diseases.
A team of researchers at Lancaster University has created a digital platform called 'Pace Me' to help people with Long COVID manage their energy levels. The study, published in Nature Communications, found that the intervention was safe and well-received, but did not outperform standard care in reducing symptoms.
The study found that metformin reduces the risk of developing Long COVID by approximately one case for every 50 cases of acute SARS-CoV-2 treated with 14 days of metformin. Metformin can be used alone or combined with other treatments to prevent Long COVID in most adults.
A big data study has identified a specific molecular state of immune cells as associated with the severity of fatigue and respiratory symptoms in Long COVID patients. This finding offers exciting starting points for further research into genetic risk factors and individualised medicine.
A large international study found that patients with long COVID-19 in the US report higher rates of brain fog, depression, and cognitive symptoms compared to those in India and Nigeria. The study suggests that lower stigma and greater access to neurological and mental health care may contribute to these differences.
A recent study by a UCLA-led team reveals that leftover COVID-19 viral fragments can selectively accumulate on and penetrate star-shaped surfaces of dendritic cells and T cells, killing these immune cells. In contrast, the omicron variant's smaller fragments have little effect on these cells.
A UC San Diego study found that older women with a history of depression and anxiety had a 78% higher risk of developing long COVID. The researchers analyzed data from the Women's Health Initiative and hope to inform preventative measures for public health officials and policymakers.
A multi-center observational study found that households facing food insecurity and challenges like low social support had a significantly higher risk of long COVID. Healthy diets may protect against the risk, highlighting the need for addressing adverse social factors in disease prevention.
Public Health Alerts provide concise, data-driven information on disease outbreaks and urgent health events. The new series, launched by NEJM Evidence and CIDRAP, offers expert-reviewed reports to support public health evidence-based care.
Researchers have identified 32 causal genes that increase the likelihood of developing long COVID, including 13 new genes not previously associated with the disease. The study's findings could lead to more precise diagnoses and treatment options for the condition, which affects an estimated 400 million people worldwide.
Researchers studying long COVID are drawing parallels with historical chronic illnesses, highlighting the need for effective interventions. By analyzing past epidemics and post-acute infection syndromes, scientists hope to gain insight into the mechanisms of these conditions.
Researchers discovered a 'sticky' molecule, P-selectin, that can cause blood clots and organ failure during COVID-19. A new mRNA therapy that drives P-selectin expression provides broad protection against coronavirus infection.
Researchers identified eight different long COVID trajectories, depending on severity and duration of symptoms, in a study of over 3,500 adult participants. The study found that 10.3% of patients had long COVID symptoms three months after infection, with 81% continuing to experience persistent or intermittent symptoms a year later.
A clinical trial found that nicotinamide riboside supplementation improved fatigue, sleep, and depressive symptoms in some people with long COVID. However, the overall results did not show significant differences between groups, suggesting that individual responses may vary.
A new study found that vaccinated adolescents had a 13% risk of long COVID, compared to 20% among unvaccinated peers. The research suggests that COVID vaccination can help mitigate the risk of long COVID in adolescents and allow them to live their lives normally after infection.
A recent study published in BMC Medicine has identified that the sequence of previous diseases may help predict the risk of long COVID. The research analyzed health trajectories over time and found that taking into account the interaction of diseases can improve prediction accuracy.
A new digital clinical trial is testing a repurposed drug, tirzepatide, to provide relief from long COVID symptoms. The study aims to enroll 1,000 participants and explore the effect of tirzepatide on long COVID over one year.
Patients with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depressive disorder are at higher risk of postacute sequelae of COVID-19. Coordinated mental health and COVID-19 care is crucial to mitigate these effects.
A new Northwestern University study reveals that abnormal cells in transplanted lungs engage in harmful 'conversations' with the immune system, leading to damage and rejection. The findings provide a comprehensive roadmap for treating chronic lung allograft dysfunction and other scarring lung diseases.
A study published in BMC Medicine reveals that vascular dysfunction is a key mechanism in long COVID, especially in postmenopausal women. The researchers identified the VEGFA protein as a central element in this process, highlighting its role in blood vessel formation and vascular function.
A new study from Karolinska Institutet reveals that postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) affects nearly a third of patients with severe long COVID, with middle-aged women being the most common demographic. Researchers emphasize that POTS can be detected with simple tests and treated to alleviate symptoms.
A new pediatric study found that young people infected with COVID twice are twice as likely to develop long COVID, with increased risks for heart disease, damaged kidneys, cognitive issues, and more. The study analyzed data from over 407,000 patients across 40 pediatric hospitals.
A study published in Frontiers in Immunology has identified pentraxin 3 (PTX-3) as a potential biomarker for existing tissue damage and long-term immune activation following severe COVID-19. PTX-3 levels were found to be significantly higher in convalescent patients with a severe disease course persisting ten weeks post-infection.
A new study found that 80% of participants who reported a change in their smelling ability after COVID-19 scored low on a clinical scent-detection test two years later. Those with a history of COVID-19 may be especially at risk for hyposmia, an issue underrecognized among the general population.
Research confirms bidirectional relationship between long COVID and menstrual disorders, with symptoms intensifying during perimenstrual phases. The study suggests an inflammatory reaction as the underlying cause, paving the way for new therapeutic prospects tailored to women.
The report makes recommendations for diagnosing, treating and preventing serious heart and blood vessel complications linked to the virus. Structured cardiac rehabilitation programmes are also recommended to prevent long-term problems after infection and aid recovery from long Covid.
A major report published by the European Society of Cardiology outlines expert recommendations for diagnosing, treating, and preventing COVID-19-related cardiovascular effects. The report emphasizes the importance of vaccination, cardiac rehabilitation programs, and equal access to services.
Researchers discovered that COVID-19 can persist in gastrointestinal tissue for up to six weeks after a positive nasal swab test, leading to increased inflammation and damage. The study highlights the need for monitoring patients with high levels of SERPINA1, who may be at risk for poor outcomes.
Researchers are using total-body PET imaging to investigate the relationship between long COVID symptoms and activated immune T cells, as well as blood vessel damage. The goal is to gain a better understanding of how these processes are related and how they contribute to long COVID symptoms.
Patients with Long COVID are using digital tools and online communities to track symptoms, identify patterns, and develop care plans. Despite medical dismissiveness, self-tracking data helps patients advocate for diagnostic tests and treatment.
Research found Covid infection may accelerate blood vessel aging around five years, especially in women, leading to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. The study included 2,390 participants from 16 countries and found stiffer arteries in all three groups of patients who had been infected with Covid.
The Mount Sinai Hospital has launched the country's first clinical manual for treating infection-associated chronic illnesses (IACIs), a comprehensive guide for diagnosis and care. The manual covers extensive learnings from the Cohen Center and provides practical strategies for clinicians to support patients with conditions such as lon...
A new study from UCLA finds that the definition of Long COVID varies widely across published studies, resulting in dramatically different estimated prevalence rates. The study highlights the need for a standardized definition to advance research and improve patient care.
A synthetic glycosystem mimics natural sugars on human cells, binding to virus's spike protein and preventing infection. The molecule was found to be effective at low doses and worked against multiple SARS-CoV-2 strains.
A study found 65 distinct protein fragments from SARS-CoV-2 inside extracellular vesicles of patients with long COVID, but not in uninfected human cells. This could be a specific and quantifiable indicator for confirming long COVID diagnosis.
Two reviews by Drs Komaroff and Dantzer highlight the biological problems causing long-lasting symptoms in Long COVID and ME/CFS, including inflammation, energy production issues, and immune system dysregulation. These conditions are grouped under post-acute infection syndromes, which may be treated with targeted therapies.
The Living Brain Project at Mount Sinai has collected over 300 brain tissue samples, revealing that 80% of genes exhibit different expression levels in living versus postmortem brain tissue. This challenges decades of neuroscience research based on postmortem samples.
A prospective observational cohort study found that people with economic instability and food insecurity were at greater risk for long COVID. The results suggest policy efforts are essential to address the disparities exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
A nationwide study found that financial hardship, food insecurity, lack of healthcare access, and other social risk factors increase the risk of long COVID. The RECOVER-Adult cohort study analyzed 3,700 participants and found significant associations between individual-level social risk factors and increased risk of developing long COVID.
A recent consensus statement by radiologists aims to standardize the management of post-COVID patients with lung abnormalities. Up to 50% of hospitalized COVID-19 patients develop persistent or progressive respiratory symptoms and lung changes on chest CT scans, but these often stabilize or regress over time.
The International radiology consensus outlines best practices for post-COVID CT imaging, including standardized terminology and low-dose protocols. The guidelines aim to standardize the indications for chest CT and improve patient management.
A new study found that long COVID patients with abnormal cardiopulmonary PET/MR findings are at a higher risk of developing heart and lung diseases. The study included 98 patients with persistent cardiopulmonary symptoms after initial COVID infection and showed significant abnormalities in both PET/MRI and dual-energy CT scans.
Long-haul COVID-19 and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome share similar pathophysiologies, including oxidative stress, autoantibodies, and impaired mitochondrial energy conversion. These conditions also exhibit neurodegenerative outcomes, such as fatigue, sleep disturbances, and increased risk of dementia.
Scientists found that mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) therapy improved immune recovery in cats with FIP, a disease similar to Long COVID. The study showed reduced systemic inflammation and increased regulatory T cells, suggesting potential benefits for human patients.
A Brazilian researcher is studying induced pluripotent stem cells from centenarians to understand cellular resilience in COVID-19 survivors. The study aims to identify key cellular pathways that influence longevity and potentially contribute to therapeutic approaches for age-related diseases.
Dr. Danielle Beckman's research uses animal models to understand how viruses like COVID-19 trigger neurological damage and accelerate Alzheimer's disease. Her work has established critical connections between viral infections and neurodegenerative processes.
A new study found that people with COVID-like symptoms took up to nine months post-infection to regain mental well-being, but physical well-being returned after three months. Up to 20% of patients continued experiencing suboptimal overall health-related quality of life one year after infection.
A new study led by Boston University School of Public Health reveals that US excess deaths have been increasing for decades, with working-age adults disproportionately affected. The study found that over 1.5 million 'missing Americans' would have been averted if the US had mortality rates similar to other high-income countries.
A large-scale genetic study identified the FOXP4 gene as a significant factor in Long COVID, linked to lung health and immune response. The study found a strong relationship between severe COVID-19 cases and Long COVID, highlighting potential biological factors contributing to the condition.
Phytomedicine, including traditional Chinese medicine, demonstrates dual efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 and acute coronary syndromes. Various herbs and compounds have been found to inhibit viral replication, reduce inflammation, and improve cardiovascular function.
An international team of researchers has identified a genetic link to long-term symptoms after COVID-19, with a gene variant increasing the risk by about 60%. The variant is located near the FOXP4 gene, which affects lung function and development. Impaired lung function plays a key role in developing long COVID.
A new study from Kennedy Krieger Institute reveals nearly 40% of pediatric patients with long COVID report significant symptoms of anxiety or depression. The study highlights the importance of integrating mental health screening into care for children with long COVID to improve quality of life.
A national study in Sweden reveals that COVID-19 vaccination levels among older people have become increasingly uneven, with regional and socio-economic differences emerging. The study found lower vaccination rates among certain groups, including those born outside Sweden, men, and individuals with low income and education.