A team of researchers from the Universities of Arizona, Oxford, and Leeds conducted an in-depth review of numerous studies on long-term COVID-19 to firmly establish the extent of its impact, who it affects, what mechanisms might underpin it, the range of symptoms, and the current and future potential treatments. Long COVID is the occurrence of continued symptoms beyond three months from the acute phase of infection and is officially referred to as post-COVID-19 condition. It is a multisystemic inflammatory disease that results in reduced functioning, crippling fatigue, brain fog, difficulty in breathing, and general malaise.
Long COVID-19 can affect any age, including children. Nevertheless, it is slightly prevalent in females and those with a low socio-economic background. The reasons for the above differences are not yet clearly known. While some patients may show gradual improvement over time, long-term COVID-19 can leave people sick for years. Many of those who have developed the condition before the time when vaccines have been available remain ill up to date.
According to Dr. Janko Nikolich, Sr., MD, PhD, study author and director, Aegis Consortium, University of Arizona Health Sciences, “Long COVID is a devastating disease with a profound human toll and socioeconomic impact.” This detailed research was not only focused on understanding the mechanisms of the disease but in identifying potential therapeutic targets that could benefit patients with long-term COVID and other complex chronic conditions related to infections, like myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia.
Despite the protective effect of being fully vaccinated and current with boosters, 3%-5% of people worldwide still go on to develop long COVID after an acute COVID-19 infection. It is estimated that, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, COVID has affected 4%-10% of the adult population in the United States, which translates to about 1 in every 10 adults with a previously confirmed COVID-19 case going on to develop long COVID. The review identified a variety of the biological mechanisms involved in long-term COVID-19, including the persistence of the original virus, disruptions to the immune response, and microscopic blood clotting – even in people who had initial mild infections.
Currently, there are no definitive treatments for long COVID-19; the treatment remains mainly symptomatic and rehabilitative. There is an urgent requirement for the development and validation of blood tests and other biomarkers for the diagnosis and monitoring of long-term COVID-19 and also for the identification of treatments targeted at the root causes.
Preventative measures against the risk of developing long-term COVID would include prevention of infection through wearing masks in crowded indoor environments, antiviral use if infected early enough, staying away from heavy exercise during the time of illness, and current with COVID vaccinations and boosters.
Speaking with cautious optimism, the lead author of the study, Professor Trisha Greenhalgh from Oxford’s Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, said, “Long COVID is a dismal condition, but there are grounds for cautious optimism. Various mechanism-based treatments are being tested in research trials. If proven effective, these treatments could offer precision therapies targeting specific subgroups of patients. Beyond treatments, it is increasingly clear that long COVID imposes a significant social and economic burden on individuals, families, and society. There is an urgent need to improve support and treatment options for ‘long-haulers,’ those who have endured the condition for two years or more and experienced severe disruptions in their lives.
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ANI
