So called Long Covid may not be one syndrome but possibly up to four different syndromes according to research out today
The National Institute for Health Research Centre for Engagement and Dissemination has published its first dynamic themed review of the scientific evidence on, and lived experience of, long-term ‘ongoing’ COVID-19.
They also found that a common theme is that symptoms arise in one physiological system then abate only for symptoms to arise in a different system.
The review finds that, while we are at an early stage of understanding the disease, a number of small surveys are reporting remarkably similar findings, with a wide range of recurring symptoms experienced by both post-hospitalised and non-hospitalised COVID-19 patients.
These affect the respiratory system, the brain, cardiovascular system and heart, the kidneys, the gut, the liver and even skin. They can range in intensity and duration and do not necessarily present in a linear or sequential manner.
Such a wide range of symptoms creates diagnostic uncertainty, with the review suggesting that ongoing COVID may in fact be due to a number of different syndromes such as Post Intensive Care syndrome, Post Viral Fatigue syndrome and Long Term COVID syndrome and permanent organ damage, which some patients may be experiencing simultaneously.
The absence of a definition may impact the ability of patients to have their symptoms and experiences properly recognised and treated by healthcare services, which can in turn have a further psychological impact, especially for non-hospitalised patients who were never formally diagnosed.
Dr. Elaine Maxwell, review author, Content Lead for the National Institute for Health Research’s Centre for Engagement and Dissemination said:
“This review highlights the detrimental physical and psychological impact that ongoing COVID is having on many people’s lives, and how healthcare services have at times struggled to manage these new and fluctuating patterns of symptoms and problems.
“Our aim is that healthcare services and staff will use this review to better understand the experiences patients have to deal with, and provide them with the access to treatment, care and support they need.
“While research is at an early stage, listening to the testimony of people living with the ongoing effects of Covid19 provides rich insights into where we should focus future research, as well as the services we should be commissioning now.”
