Articles tagged with Long Covid
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.
A meta-analysis of over 140,000 participants found a significant association between excess weight and neurological/neuropsychiatric symptoms in post-COVID-19 condition. The study suggests that maintaining a healthy weight may be crucial in mitigating these symptoms.
Researchers found persistent inflammation in heart and lungs of patients with long COVID, even after standard tests return normal results. This study uses advanced PET/MRI imaging to detect abnormal patterns that could serve as early warning signs of future cardiac and pulmonary conditions.
A groundbreaking study from the University of Virginia Health System reveals distinct immune patterns in patients with persistent breathing issues after COVID-19. The research identifies specific T cell changes linked to lung damage and fibrosis, paving the way for personalized treatments.
A clinical trial is underway to assess the effectiveness of sipavibart, a long-acting monoclonal antibody, in treating Long COVID symptoms. The study aims to improve patients' health and restore them to full health.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have identified biomarkers in the blood associated with long COVID symptoms, particularly severe respiratory disorders. The study found that these biomarkers are also linked to inflammatory signal pathways involved in cell death and lung damage.
A new clinical trial will test the effectiveness of two anti-inflammatory medicines as potential treatments for long COVID. The trial, funded by the Schmidt Initiative for Long Covid, will enroll hundreds of people across four continents and examine whether upadacitinib and pirfenidone can reduce or eliminate symptoms.
Researchers believe that post-treatment Lyme disease (PTLD) is caused by the body's response to remnants of the Borrelia burgdorferi cell wall, which persists in the liver. The unique structural properties of this peptidoglycan molecule promote its persistence and may lead to a stronger immune response in some individuals.
New research found that COVID vaccines significantly reduced the risk of long COVID in children and adolescents. Vaccination was about 95% effective in preventing long COVID in some cohorts, primarily due to its ability to prevent initial infection.
Researchers at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute have developed a drug compound that can prevent long COVID symptoms in mice, including brain and lung dysfunction. The study also found that the compound can treat acute COVID with better efficacy than Paxlovid, the leading treatment currently approved for COVID-19.
A new study published in Nature Communications found that pregnancy may offer protection from developing Long COVID. The research analyzed data on approximately 72,000 pregnant women and 208,000 non-pregnant controls, revealing lower rates of long-term complications related to COVID-19 among pregnant women.
The Pediatric Long COVID Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) program has successfully trained nearly 100 healthcare professionals across the US, equipping them to diagnose and manage long COVID in children. The program aims to bridge access gaps and empower community providers.
A new study from the University of Surrey found that Long Covid patients often feel dismissed and disbelieved by healthcare providers, leading them to reject psychological support. The study suggests that patients feel they must prove their illness is physical to be taken seriously, resulting in a lack of trust in medical care.
Researchers found that people who later experienced persistent shortness of breath or fatigue had significantly fewer steps per day and a higher resting heart rate before contracting the virus. These findings suggest a link between lower fitness levels and preexisting health conditions in long COVID patients.
A recent study suggests that long COVID-19 cases can result in significant annual costs of $5,084 to $11,646, primarily due to productivity losses and direct medical expenses. The estimated total cost for current long COVID cases in the US is between $2.01 billion and $6.56 billion annually.
A new analysis of NHS England survey data found that nearly one in ten people (9.1%) in England think they could have Long Covid but aren't sure. Higher rates were observed among people living in deprived areas, those with particular ethnic backgrounds, and parents or carers.
A study of the COVICAT cohort found that almost one in four people infected with SARS-CoV-2 developed long COVID, with symptoms persisting for two years or more. Risk factors included severe COVID-19 infection and pre-existing chronic diseases, while vaccination before infection and a healthy lifestyle appeared to reduce the risk.
Researchers have discovered how severe COVID-19 can destroy immune cells' ability to repair the lungs, leading to lingering effects of long COVID. By enhancing damaged organelles using a FDA-approved drug, they found improved lung healing and reduced inflammation.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine estimates that the COVID-19 pandemic cost Europe 16.8 million disability-free years of life between 2020 and 2022. The study found that more than half of these lost years would have been lived without disability, highlighting the pandemic's long-term impact on older populations.
A new study uses advanced lung MRI to detect regional blood flow abnormalities in children and adolescents with long COVID, which may explain persistent symptoms. The researchers found reduced blood flow patterns that correlated with fatigue symptom severity, suggesting a possible biological basis for ongoing symptoms.
A new study analyzing Long COVID healthcare utilization in Colorado reveals a significant shift from acute care to outpatient services following diagnosis. After diagnosis, hospitalizations decreased by 6.1 percentage points and emergency department visits dropped by 7.7 compared to matched controls.
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that post-COVID condition (PCC) continues to affect US children with significant activity limitation. The research highlights the importance of examining PCC severity and its impact on school attendance, emphasizing the need for continued investigation into this ongoing issue.
A study by Italian scientists has identified a distinct protein signature in the blood plasma of pediatric patients with Long COVID, characterized by increased inflammation and endothelial damage. The discovery could lead to the development of a simple diagnostic test based on a blood sample.
Researchers tracked nearly 1,000 people with post-COVID-19 syndrome, finding persistent physical and cognitive impairments that worsened with exercise intolerance. The study's findings support the inclusion of cognitive and exercise testing in clinical evaluation for patients with suspected post-COVID-19 syndrome.
A recent study found that long COVID is more prevalent in women than men, and the association was linked to factors such as age, pregnancy, and menopausal status. The research highlights the need for targeted drug development and improved management strategies for long COVID.
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open found that females aged 40-55 years have the highest risk of developing long COVID, with a 31% higher associated risk compared to males. The research, part of the NIH RECOVER initiative, suggests that patients and healthcare teams should consider sex differences when treating long COVID.
This study investigated the feasibility of electroacupuncture-assisted ribavirin dosing in patients with long COVID, using Voll's electropuncture diagnostics. The results demonstrated that EAV can identify meridians with decreased electrodermal activity at acupuncture points, followed by medicament testing to measure daily doses.
A research team led by Jianyang Du, PhD, has received a grant to investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms behind neurological disorders caused by long COVID-19. The study aims to provide insights into how SARS-CoV-2 alters neuronal activity, which could lead to effective therapeutic strategies.
The NIH-funded RECOVER Initiative study reveals a significant association between SARS-CoV-2 infection and an increased incidence of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), with 4.5% post-COVID participants meeting ME/CFS diagnostic criteria, compared to 0.6% non-infected participants.
A new AI system analyzed electronic health records of long-COVID patients to identify four sub-populations with specific needs, including those with asthma or mental health conditions. The study found that these sub-populations require more specialized care and pointed toward updated profiles for hospitals to better address their needs.
A recent case series suggests that an extended course of Paxlovid may help some patients with long Covid experience sustained improvements in their symptoms. The study, published in Communications Medicine, found that five out of 13 patients experienced significant symptom relief after taking the antiviral drug for 15 days.
A study by the American Academy of Neurology found no association between COVID-19 infections and worsening multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms or disability. Researchers followed 2,132 adults with MS over 18 months and found similar increases in symptom severity for those with and without COVID-19 infection.
The RECOVER-adult long COVID research index has been expanded with new data and symptoms, enhancing its ability to classify symptomatic long COVID and its subtypes. This update highlights the need for continued refinement of the index as our understanding of long COVID evolves.
Research reveals that long COVID affects not only job status but also overall well-being, leading to financial instability, emotional distress, and feelings of loss of identity. Patients report struggling to cope with lingering symptoms and facing skepticism from healthcare providers.
A recent study found that post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) affects approximately 8.4% of US adults, with significant differences observed across various demographic groups. Currently, 3.6% of adults have PCC, and a notable 2.3% experience activity-limiting PCC.
Longidaza significantly reduced exertional desaturation and dyspnea, as well as improved distance walked during the six-minute walk test. The drug's effects on exercise tolerance were sustained for over 100 days after treatment.
A recent review examines how SARS-CoV-2 variants impact long COVID symptoms, revealing key differences in clinical manifestations and vaccination effectiveness. The study suggests that vaccinations significantly reduce both acute and long-term symptoms, making a critical contribution to managing the condition.
A new study from the University of Georgia found that long COVID-19 is making it harder for people to pay their bills, buy groceries, and keep utilities on. Individuals with lower incomes are disproportionately affected by food insecurity and inability to pay bills due to the condition.
A recent study published in Nature Communications Medicine found that around 25-30% of young people met the research definition of long Covid 24 months after their initial PCR test. However, 70% of those who had long Covid three months after the infection had recovered within two years.
Researchers found that SARS-CoV-2 disrupts mitochondrial reactions, leading to immune sensor activation and a cytokine storm, which triggers multiple organ-damaging events. Autopsy samples revealed extensive inflammation and organ damage in organs such as the heart, lungs, and kidneys.
A team of researchers discovered a novel cause of cytokine storm in fatal COVID-19 cases, linking the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) to the hyperinflammatory response. This finding holds potential for identifying patients at risk and developing targeted interventions.
Researchers at Helmholtz Munich identified a mechanism explaining Long COVID's neurological symptoms: SARS-CoV-2 spike protein remains in the brain for up to four years after infection. mRNA COVID-19 vaccines significantly reduce spike protein accumulation, but persistent presence poses a toxic risk.
A review of trials suggests that cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and physical and mental rehabilitation can reduce fatigue and improve concentration. Intermittent aerobic exercise also improves physical function.
Researchers found lower pulmonary gas exchange may be associated with impaired cognitive function in patients with long COVID. The study also showed a potential treatment strategy using methods that target improved gas exchange, suggesting a causative relationship between cognitive dysfunction and lung dysfunction.
A wearable electrical nerve stimulation device has been shown to provide significant relief from long COVID symptoms such as pain and fatigue. Researchers found that the high-dose TENS group experienced notable improvements in pain relief and walking ability.
A new study found that individuals with Long Covid experience persistent functional impairment and poor quality of life, leading to significant economic burdens on patients and the economy. The study estimated that the economic cost of Long Covid could reach £20billion annually due to productivity losses and working days off.
Researchers at Mass General Brigham developed an AI algorithm to identify long COVID cases in patients' health records, revealing a higher prevalence rate than previously thought. The tool uses 'precision phenotyping' to sift through individual records and track symptoms over time, reducing bias in diagnosis.
Researchers found elevated levels of cytokines in the blood of long COVID patients, which could explain cardiovascular symptoms. The study also showed that these trace-level cytokines had a direct effect on cardiomyocytes, the heart's pumping cells.
A study found that 4.6% of Nigerian participants with COVID-19 experienced neurologic symptoms, with some still experiencing symptoms two years after their initial episode. Researchers plan to treat these patients using similar techniques used in the US, aiming to alleviate their suffering.