Exploring long COVID condition in Latin America: Its impact on patients’ activities and associated healthcare use

Frontiers in Medicine, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 10

Published: April 20, 2023

Background Studies exploring long COVID condition (LCC) in low- and middle-income countries are scarce. Further characterization of LCC patients experiencing activity limitations their associated healthcare use is needed. This study aimed to describe patients’ characteristics, its impact on activities, Latin America (LATAM). Participants Individuals who (cared for someone or) had COVID-19 could read, write, comprehend Spanish lived a LATAM country were invited complete virtual survey. Sociodemographic symptoms, limitations, use. Results Data from 2,466 people 16 analyzed (females = 65.9%; mean age 39.5 ± 53.3 years). 1,178 (48%) the respondents symptoms (≥3 months). These more likely have earlier pandemic, older, no vaccines, comorbidities, needed supplementary oxygen, reported significantly during infectious period. 33% visited primary care provider, 13% went emergency department, 5% hospitalized, 21% specialist, 32% consulted ≥1 therapist mainly extreme fatigue, sleep difficulties, headaches, muscle or joint pain, shortness breath with activity. The most therapists respiratory (15%) psychologists (14%), followed by physical (13%), occupational (3%), speech pathologists (1%). One-third decreased regular activities (e.g., work, school) 8% help daily living (ADLs). reduced difficulty sleeping, chest pain activity, depression, problems concentration, thinking, memory, while those ADLs walking, at rest. Approximately 60% experienced sought specialist 50% therapists. Conclusions relevance supported previous findings terms demographics, provided insight into services used LATAM. information valuable inform service planning resource allocation alignment needs this population.

Language: Английский

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Exploring the Pathophysiology of Long COVID: The Central Role of Low-Grade Inflammation and Multisystem Involvement

International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 25(12), P. 6389 - 6389

Published: June 9, 2024

Long COVID (LC), also referred to as Post COVID-19 Condition, Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection (PASC), and other terms, represents a complex multisystem disease persisting after the acute phase COVID-19. Characterized by myriad symptoms across different organ systems, LC presents significant diagnostic management challenges. Central disorder is role low-grade inflammation, non-classical inflammatory response that contributes chronicity diversity observed. This review explores pathophysiological underpinnings LC, emphasizing importance inflammation core component. By delineating pathogenetic relationships clinical manifestations this article highlights necessity for an integrated approach employs both personalized medicine standardized protocols aimed at mitigating long-term consequences. The insights gained not only enhance our understanding but inform development therapeutic strategies could be applicable chronic conditions with similar features.

Language: Английский

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Assessing the Quality of Life, Coping Strategies, Anxiety and Depression Levels in Patients with Long-COVID-19 Syndrome: A Six-Month Follow-Up Study

Diseases, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 12(1), P. 21 - 21

Published: Jan. 11, 2024

This longitudinal study investigates the psychosocial effects of long-COVID Syndrome, a domain still not extensively researched. It specifically evaluates quality life, coping mechanisms, anxiety and depression levels in COVID-19 survivors, differentiating between those with without Syndrome. Conducted at Victor Babes Hospital for Infectious Diseases Pulmonology Timisoara, Romania, utilized cohort patients diagnosed mild to moderate COVID-19. The following standardized tools: WHOQOL-BREF COPE-60 strategies, Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS), were employed assessment. sample consisted 86 displaying persistent post-acute symptoms 432 asymptomatic 6-month post-discharge mark. Patients frequent reported significantly higher fatigue (8.2 ± 1.4), cognitive difficulties (7.5 1.6), respiratory challenges (7.8 1.3), along markedly lower overall life (7.0 1.5) compared their counterparts. HADS scores revealed elevated (6.8 1.9) (7.1 2.3) symptomatic group. Quality as evaluated through use WHOQOL-BREF, showed across physical (58.8 15.8), mental (56.3 16.4), social domains (50.2 17.5). findings indicated prevalence disengagement (56.4%) emotion-focused strategies (61.8%) group, contrast 30.1% 37.0%, respectively, highlights that Syndrome deteriorates is associated increased levels. prevalent among suggests need enhanced support tailored this subgroup.

Language: Английский

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Definitions and symptoms of the post-COVID syndrome: an updated systematic umbrella review

European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: July 25, 2024

Abstract Post-COVID syndrome (PCS) describes a persistent complex of symptoms following COVID-19 episode, lasting at least 4 to 12 weeks, depending on the specific criteria used for its definition. It is often associated with moderate severe impairments daily life and represents major burden many people worldwide. However, especially during first two years pandemic, therapeutic diagnostic uncertainties were prominent due novelty disease non-specific definitions that overlooked functional deficits lacked objective assessment. The present work comprehensively examines status PCS as depicted in recent reviews meta-analyses, alongside exploring impairments. We searched database Pubmed meta-analysis evaluating period between May 31, 2022, December 2023. Out 95 studies, 33 selected inclusion our analyses. Furthermore, we extended upon prior research by systematically recording linked identified studies. found fatigue, neurological complaints, exercise intolerance most frequently reported symptoms. In conclusion, over past eighteen months, there has been notable increase quantity quality studies PCS. still remains clear need improvement, particularly regard definition necessary diagnosing this syndrome. Enhancing aspect will render future more comparable precise, thereby advancing understanding

Language: Английский

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Viable SARS-CoV-2 Omicron sub-variants isolated from autopsy tissues

Frontiers in Microbiology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 14

Published: May 22, 2023

Pulmonary and extrapulmonary manifestations have been described after infection with SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The virus is known to persist in multiple organs due its tropism for several tissues. However, previous reports were unable provide definitive information about whether viable transmissible. It has hypothesized that persisting reservoirs SARS-CoV-2 tissues could be one potentially overlapping causes long COVID.In present study, we investigated autopsy materials obtained from 21 cadaveric donors documented first or reinfection at time death. cases studied included recipients different formulations COVID-19 vaccines. aim was find presence lungs, heart, liver, kidneys, intestines. We used two technical approaches: detection quantification viral genomic RNA using RT-qPCR, infectivity permissive vitro Vero E6 culture.All analyzed showed but dissimilar levels ranging 1.01 × 102 copies/mL 1.14 108 copies/mL, even among those who had vaccinated. Importantly, amounts replication-competent detected culture media highest load measured lung (≈1.4 106 copies/mL) heart (≈1.9 samples. Additionally, based on partial Spike gene sequences, characterization revealed Omicron sub-variants exhibiting a high level nucleotide amino acid identity them.These findings highlight can spread tissue locations such as intestines, both primary reinfections variant, contributing extending knowledge pathogenesis acute understanding sequelae clinical are observed during post-acute COVID-19.

Language: Английский

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