1
|
Valdivieso-Martinez B, Lopez-Sanchez V, Sauri I, Diaz J, Calderon JM, Gas-Lopez ME, Lidon L, Philibert J, Lopez-Hontangas JL, Navarro D, Cuenca L, Forner MJ, Redon J. Impact of Long SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Infection on the Health Care Burden: Comparative Case-Control Study Between Omicron and Pre-Omicron Waves. JMIR Public Health Surveill 2024; 10:e53580. [PMID: 39226091 DOI: 10.2196/53580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Following the initial acute phase of COVID-19, health care resource use has escalated among individuals with SARS-CoV-2 infection. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to compare new diagnoses of long COVID and the demand for health services in the general population after the Omicron wave with those observed during the pre-Omicron waves, using similar assessment protocols for both periods and to analyze the influence of vaccination. METHODS This matched retrospective case-control study included patients of both sexes diagnosed with acute SARS-CoV-2 infection using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction or antigen tests in the hospital microbiology laboratory during the pandemic period regardless of whether the patients were hospitalized. We included patients of all ages from 2 health care departments that cover 604,000 subjects. The population was stratified into 2 groups, youths (<18 years) and adults (≥18 years). Patients were followed-up for 6 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Previous vaccination, new diagnoses, and the use of health care resources were recorded. Patients were compared with controls selected using a prospective score matched for age, sex, and the Charlson index. RESULTS A total of 41,577 patients with a history of prior COVID-19 infection were included, alongside an equivalent number of controls. This cohort encompassed 33,249 (80%) adults aged ≥18 years and 8328 (20%) youths aged <18 years. Our analysis identified 40 new diagnoses during the observation period. The incidence rate per 100 patients over a 6-month period was 27.2 for vaccinated and 25.1 for unvaccinated adults (P=.09), while among youths, the corresponding rates were 25.7 for vaccinated and 36.7 for unvaccinated individuals (P<.001). Overall, the incidence of new diagnoses was notably higher in patients compared to matched controls. Additionally, vaccinated patients exhibited a reduced incidence of new diagnoses, particularly among women (P<.001) and younger patients (P<.001) irrespective of the number of vaccine doses administered and the duration since the last dose. Furthermore, an increase in the use of health care resources was observed in both adult and youth groups, albeit with lower figures noted in vaccinated individuals. In the comparative analysis between the pre-Omicron and Omicron waves, the incidence of new diagnoses was higher in the former; however, distinct patterns of diagnosis were evident. Specifically, depressed mood (P=.03), anosmia (P=.003), hair loss (P<.001), dyspnea (<0.001), chest pain (P=.04), dysmenorrhea (P<.001), myalgia (P=.011), weakness (P<.001), and tachycardia (P=.015) were more common in the pre-Omicron period. Similarly, health care resource use, encompassing primary care, specialist, and emergency services, was more pronounced in the pre-Omicron wave. CONCLUSIONS The rise in new diagnoses following SARS-CoV-2 infection warrants attention due to its potential implications for health systems, which may necessitate the allocation of supplementary resources. The absence of vaccination protection presents a challenge to the health care system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Inma Sauri
- Hospital Clínico de la Comunidad Valenciana (INCLIVA) Research Institute, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Javier Diaz
- Hospital Clínico de la Comunidad Valenciana (INCLIVA) Research Institute, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Jose Miguel Calderon
- Hospital Clínico de la Comunidad Valenciana (INCLIVA) Research Institute, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Laura Lidon
- Hospital Clínico de la Comunidad Valenciana (INCLIVA) Research Institute, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Juliette Philibert
- Medical Research Institute, Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | | | | | - Llanos Cuenca
- Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Josep Redon
- Hospital Clínico de la Comunidad Valenciana (INCLIVA) Research Institute, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Greenhalgh T, Sivan M, Perlowski A, Nikolich JŽ. Long COVID: a clinical update. Lancet 2024; 404:707-724. [PMID: 39096925 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(24)01136-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/05/2024]
Abstract
Post-COVID-19 condition (also known as long COVID) is generally defined as symptoms persisting for 3 months or more after acute COVID-19. Long COVID can affect multiple organ systems and lead to severe and protracted impairment of function as a result of organ damage. The burden of this disease, both on the individual and on health systems and national economies, is high. In this interdisciplinary Review, with a coauthor with lived experience of severe long COVID, we sought to bring together multiple streams of literature on the epidemiology, pathophysiology (including the hypothesised mechanisms of organ damage), lived experience and clinical manifestations, and clinical investigation and management of long COVID. Although current approaches to long COVID care are largely symptomatic and supportive, recent advances in clinical phenotyping, deep molecular profiling, and biomarker identification might herald a more mechanism-informed and personally tailored approach to clinical care. We also cover the organisation of services for long COVID, approaches to preventing long COVID, and suggestions for future research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Trisha Greenhalgh
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, Oxford, UK.
| | - Manoj Sivan
- Academic Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine University of Leeds, Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds, UK
| | | | - Janko Ž Nikolich
- Department of Immunobiology and University of Arizona Center on Aging, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Tucson, Tucson, AZ, USA; The Aegis Consortium for Pandemic-Free Future, University of Arizona Health Sciences, Tucson, AZ, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Saxena A, Mautner J. A Disease Hidden in Plain Sight: Pathways and Mechanisms of Neurological Complications of Post-acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (NC-PASC). Mol Neurobiol 2024:10.1007/s12035-024-04421-z. [PMID: 39133434 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-024-04421-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/13/2024]
Abstract
The global impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) marked by numerous pandemic peaks is attributed to its high variability and infectious nature, transforming it into a persistent global public health concern. With hundreds of millions of cases reported globally, the illness is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Despite its initial classification as an acute respiratory illness, recent evidence indicates that lingering effects on various bodily systems, such as cardiovascular, pulmonary, nervous, gastrointestinal (GI), and musculoskeletal, may endure well beyond the acute phase. These persistent manifestations following COVID-19, commonly known as long COVID, have the potential to affect individuals across the entire range of illness severity, with a tendency to be more prevalent in mild to moderate cases. At present, there are no established criteria for diagnosing long COVID. Nonetheless, it is conceptualized as a multi-organ disorder encompassing a diverse array of clinical manifestations. The most common, persistent, and debilitating symptoms of long COVID may be neurological, known as neurological complications of post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (NC-PASC). More than one-third of individuals with a prior SARS-CoV-2 infection show involvement of both the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS), as evidenced by an approximately threefold higher incidence of neurological symptoms in observational studies. The persistent neurological symptoms of long COVID encompass fatigue, headache, cognitive decline, "brain fog", dysautonomia, neuropsychiatric issues, loss of smell (anosmia), loss of taste (ageusia), and peripheral nerve problems (peripheral neuropathy). Reported pathogenic mechanisms encompass viral persistence and neuro-invasion by SARS-CoV-2, neuroinflammation, autoimmunity, coagulopathy, and endotheliopathy. Raising awareness of potential complications is crucial for preventing and alleviating the long-term effects of long COVID and enhancing the prognosis for affected patients. This review explores the hypothetical pathophysiological mechanisms and pathways of NC-PASC with a sole aim to increase awareness about this crippling disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Apoorva Saxena
- Department of Biology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany.
| | - Josef Mautner
- Institute of Virology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Steinmann LA, Claaß LV, Rau M, Massag J, Diexer S, Klee B, Gottschick C, Binder M, Sedding D, Frese T, Girndt M, Hoell J, Moor I, Rosendahl J, Gekle M, Mikolajczyk R, Opel N. Differential associations between SARS-CoV-2 infection, perceived burden of the pandemic and mental health in the German population-based cohort for digital health research. Psychiatry Res 2024; 341:116140. [PMID: 39217829 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2024.116140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 07/08/2024] [Accepted: 08/10/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Understanding the potential adverse effects of the COVID-19-pandemic on mental health remains a challenge for public health. Differentiation between potential consequences of actual infection with SARS-CoV-2 and the subjective burden of the pandemic due to measures and restrictions to daily life still remains elusive. Therefore, we investigated the differential association between infection with SARS-Cov-2 and subjective burden of the pandemic in a study cohort of 7601 participants from the German population-based cohort for digital health research (DigiHero), who were recruited between March 4th and April 25th 2022. Data was collected using the online survey tool LimeSurvey® between March and October 2022 in consecutive surveys, which included questionnaires on infection status and symptoms following COVID-19 as well as retrospective assessment of the subjective burden of the pandemic. We observed an association of a past SARS-CoV-2 infection on deteriorated mental health related symptoms, whereas no association or interaction with burden of the pandemic occurred. The association was driven by participants with persistent symptoms 12 weeks after infection. On a symptom specific level, neuropsychiatric symptoms such as exhaustion and fatigue, concentration deficits and problems with memory function were the primary drivers of the association with small effect sizes between 0.048 and 0.062 ηp2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lavinia A Steinmann
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany; German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), Germany; Center for Intervention and Research on Adaptive and Maladaptive Brain Circuits Underlying Mental Health (C-I-R-C), Jena-Magdeburg-Halle, Germany.
| | - Luise V Claaß
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany; German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), Germany; Center for Intervention and Research on Adaptive and Maladaptive Brain Circuits Underlying Mental Health (C-I-R-C), Jena-Magdeburg-Halle, Germany
| | - Moritz Rau
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany; German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), Germany; Center for Intervention and Research on Adaptive and Maladaptive Brain Circuits Underlying Mental Health (C-I-R-C), Jena-Magdeburg-Halle, Germany
| | - Janka Massag
- Institute for Medical Epidemiology, Biometry and Informatics (IMEBI), Interdisciplinary Centre for Health Sciences, Medical Faculty of the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Sophie Diexer
- Institute for Medical Epidemiology, Biometry and Informatics (IMEBI), Interdisciplinary Centre for Health Sciences, Medical Faculty of the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Bianca Klee
- Institute for Medical Epidemiology, Biometry and Informatics (IMEBI), Interdisciplinary Centre for Health Sciences, Medical Faculty of the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Cornelia Gottschick
- Institute for Medical Epidemiology, Biometry and Informatics (IMEBI), Interdisciplinary Centre for Health Sciences, Medical Faculty of the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Mascha Binder
- Department of Internal Medicine IV, Oncology/Haematology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Daniel Sedding
- Mid-German Heart Centre, Department of Cardiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Thomas Frese
- Institute of General Practice and Family Medicine, Interdisciplinary Centre for Health Sciences, Medical Faculty of the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Matthias Girndt
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Germany
| | - Jessica Hoell
- Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Irene Moor
- Institute for Medical Sociology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Jonas Rosendahl
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Michael Gekle
- Julius-Bernstein-Institute of Physiology, Medical Faculty of the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Rafael Mikolajczyk
- German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), Germany; Center for Intervention and Research on Adaptive and Maladaptive Brain Circuits Underlying Mental Health (C-I-R-C), Jena-Magdeburg-Halle, Germany; Institute for Medical Epidemiology, Biometry and Informatics (IMEBI), Interdisciplinary Centre for Health Sciences, Medical Faculty of the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Nils Opel
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany; German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), Germany; Center for Intervention and Research on Adaptive and Maladaptive Brain Circuits Underlying Mental Health (C-I-R-C), Jena-Magdeburg-Halle, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Mikolajczyk R, Diexer S, Klee B, Pfrommer L, Purschke O, Fricke J, Ahnert P, Gabrysch S, Gottschick C, Bohn B, Brenner H, Buck C, Castell S, Gastell S, Greiser KH, Harth V, Heise JK, Holleczek B, Kaaks R, Keil T, Krist L, Leitzmann M, Lieb W, Meinke-Franze C, Michels KB, Velásquez IM, Obi N, Panreck L, Peters A, Pischon T, Schikowski T, Schmidt B, Standl M, Stang A, Völzke H, Weber A, Zeeb H, Karch A. Likelihood of Post-COVID Condition in people with hybrid immunity; data from the German National Cohort (NAKO). J Infect 2024; 89:106206. [PMID: 38897239 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2024.106206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 06/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The risk of Post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) under hybrid immunity remains unclear. METHODS Using data from the German National Cohort (NAKO Gesundheitsstudie), we investigated risk factors for self-reported post-infection symptoms (any PCC is defined as having at least one symptom, and high symptom burden PCC as having nine or more symptoms). RESULTS Sixty percent of 109,707 participants reported at least one previous SARS-CoV-2 infection; 35% reported having had any symptoms 4-12 months after infection; among them 23% reported nine or more symptoms. Individuals, who did not develop PCC after their first infection, had a strongly reduced risk for PCC after their second infection (50%) and a temporary risk reduction, which waned over 9 months after the preceding infection. The risk of developing PCC strongly depended on the virus variant. Within variants, there was no effect of the number of preceding vaccinations, apart from a strong protection by the fourth vaccination compared to three vaccinations for the Omicron variant (odds ratio = 0.52; 95% confidence interval 0.45-0.61). CONCLUSIONS Previous infections without PCC and a fourth vaccination were associated with a lower risk of PCC after a new infection, indicating diminished risk under hybrid immunity. The two components of risk reduction after a preceding infection suggest different immunological mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Mikolajczyk
- Institute for Medical Epidemiology, Biometrics, and Informatics, Interdisciplinary Centre for Health Sciences, Medical Faculty of the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany.
| | - Sophie Diexer
- Institute for Medical Epidemiology, Biometrics, and Informatics, Interdisciplinary Centre for Health Sciences, Medical Faculty of the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Bianca Klee
- Institute for Medical Epidemiology, Biometrics, and Informatics, Interdisciplinary Centre for Health Sciences, Medical Faculty of the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Laura Pfrommer
- Institute for Medical Epidemiology, Biometrics, and Informatics, Interdisciplinary Centre for Health Sciences, Medical Faculty of the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Oliver Purschke
- Institute for Medical Epidemiology, Biometrics, and Informatics, Interdisciplinary Centre for Health Sciences, Medical Faculty of the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Julia Fricke
- Institute of Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economics, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Peter Ahnert
- Institute for Medical Informatics, Statistics and Epidemiology, Universität Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sabine Gabrysch
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Public Health, Berlin, Germany; Research Department 2, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), Member of the Leibniz Association, Potsdam, Germany; Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Cornelia Gottschick
- Institute for Medical Epidemiology, Biometrics, and Informatics, Interdisciplinary Centre for Health Sciences, Medical Faculty of the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | | | - Hermann Brenner
- Division of Clinical Epidemiology and Aging Research, German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christoph Buck
- Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology - BIPS, Bremen, Germany
| | - Stefanie Castell
- Department for Epidemiology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Sylvia Gastell
- NAKO Study Centre, German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke, Nuthetal, Germany
| | | | - Volker Harth
- Institute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine Hamburg (ZfAM), University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jana-Kristin Heise
- Department for Epidemiology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | | | - Rudolf Kaaks
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology, DKFZ Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thomas Keil
- Institute of Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economics, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Institute of Clinical Epidemiology and Biometry, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany; State Institute of Health I, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Lilian Krist
- Institute of Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economics, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Michael Leitzmann
- Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Lieb
- Institute of Epidemiology, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Claudia Meinke-Franze
- Institute for Community Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Karin B Michels
- Institute for Prevention and Cancer Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Centre, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Ilais Moreno Velásquez
- Max-Delbrueck-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Molecular Epidemiology Research Group, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nadia Obi
- Institute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine Hamburg (ZfAM), University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Annette Peters
- Institute of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum München - German Research Centre for Environmental Health (GmbH), Neuherberg, Germany; Chair of Epidemiology, Institute for Medical Information Processing, Biometry and Epidemiology, Medical Faculty, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Tobias Pischon
- Max-Delbrueck-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Molecular Epidemiology Research Group, Berlin, Germany
| | - Tamara Schikowski
- IUF-Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Börge Schmidt
- Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Marie Standl
- Institute of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum München - German Research Centre for Environmental Health (GmbH), Neuherberg, Germany; German Centre for Lung Research (DZL), Munich, Germany
| | - Andreas Stang
- Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Henry Völzke
- Institute for Community Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Andrea Weber
- Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Hajo Zeeb
- Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology - BIPS, Bremen, Germany; Health Sciences Bremen, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - André Karch
- Institute of Epidemiology and Social Medicine, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Glaser N, Diexer S, Klee B, Purschke O, Binder M, Frese T, Girndt M, Höll J, Moor I, Rosendahl J, Gekle M, Sedding D, Mikolajczyk R, Gottschick C. The contribution of SARS-CoV-2 to the burden of acute respiratory infections in winter season 2022/2023: results from the DigiHero study. Int J Infect Dis 2024; 144:107057. [PMID: 38631507 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2024.107057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In winter of 2022/2023 SARS-CoV-2 had developed into one of many seasonal respiratory pathogens, causing an additional burden of acute respiratory infections (ARIs). Although testing was still widely used, many positive tests were not reported for the official statistics. Using data from a population-based cohort, we aimed to investigate the contribution of SARS-CoV-2 to the burden of ARI. METHODS Over 70,000 participants of the German population-based DigiHero study were invited to a questionnaire about the number and time point of ARI and SARS-CoV-2 test results in winter 2022/2023. We calculated the incidence of non-severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) ARI, the additional contribution of SARS-CoV-2, and extrapolated the age-specific estimates to obtain the total burden of SARS-CoV-2 in Germany. RESULTS For the winter of 2022/2023, 37,708 participants reported 54,813 ARIs, including 9358 SARS-CoV-2 infections. This translated into a cumulative incidence of 145 infections/100 persons for all ARIs, 120 infections/100 persons for non-SARS ARI, and 25 infections/100 persons for SARS ARI (+21%). CONCLUSIONS Our estimate for ARI related to SARS-CoV-2 is consistent with the difference in all ARI between pre-pandemic years and 2022/2023. This additional burden should be considered, particularly, with respect to the implications for the work force.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Glaser
- Institute for Medical Epidemiology, Biometrics and Informatics (IMEBI), Interdisciplinary Centre for Health Sciences, Medical Faculty of the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Sophie Diexer
- Institute for Medical Epidemiology, Biometrics and Informatics (IMEBI), Interdisciplinary Centre for Health Sciences, Medical Faculty of the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Bianca Klee
- Institute for Medical Epidemiology, Biometrics and Informatics (IMEBI), Interdisciplinary Centre for Health Sciences, Medical Faculty of the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Oliver Purschke
- Institute for Medical Epidemiology, Biometrics and Informatics (IMEBI), Interdisciplinary Centre for Health Sciences, Medical Faculty of the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Mascha Binder
- Department of Internal Medicine IV, Oncology/Hematology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany; Medical Oncology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Frese
- Institute of General Practice and Family Medicine, Interdisciplinary Centre for Health Sciences, Medical Faculty of the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Matthias Girndt
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Jessica Höll
- Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Irene Moor
- Institute for Medical Sociology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Jonas Rosendahl
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Michael Gekle
- Julius-Bernstein-Institute of Physiology, Medical Faculty of the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Daniel Sedding
- Mid-German Heart Centre, Department of Cardiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Rafael Mikolajczyk
- Institute for Medical Epidemiology, Biometrics and Informatics (IMEBI), Interdisciplinary Centre for Health Sciences, Medical Faculty of the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany.
| | - Cornelia Gottschick
- Institute for Medical Epidemiology, Biometrics and Informatics (IMEBI), Interdisciplinary Centre for Health Sciences, Medical Faculty of the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Iba A, Hosozawa M, Hori M, Muto Y, Muraki I, Masuda R, Tamiya N, Iso H. Prevalence of and Risk Factors for Post-COVID-19 Condition during Omicron BA.5-Dominant Wave, Japan. Emerg Infect Dis 2024; 30:1380-1389. [PMID: 38916571 PMCID: PMC11210664 DOI: 10.3201/eid3007.231723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The increased risk for post-COVID-19 condition after the Omicron-dominant wave remains unclear. This population-based study included 25,911 persons in Japan 20-69 years of age with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection enrolled in the established registry system during July-August 2022 and 25,911 age- and sex-matched noninfected controls who used a self-reported questionnaire in January-February 2023. We compared prevalence and age- and sex-adjusted odds ratios of persistent COVID-19 symptoms (lasting ≥2 months). We evaluated factors associated with post-COVID-19 condition by comparing cases with and without post-COVID-19 condition. We analyzed 14,710 (8,392 cases and 6,318 controls) of 18,183 respondents. Post-COVID-19 condition proportion among cases was 11.8%, higher by 6.3% than 5.5% persistent symptoms among controls. Female sex, underlying medical conditions, mild to moderate acute COVID-19, and vaccination were associated with post-COVID-19 condition. Approximately 12% had post-COVID-19 condition during the Omicron-dominant wave, indicating the need for longer follow-up.
Collapse
|
8
|
Naik H, Wilton J, Tran KC, Janjua NZ, Levin A, Zhang W. Long-Term Health-Related Quality of Life in Working-Age COVID-19 Survivors: A Cross-Sectional Study. Am J Med 2024:S0002-9343(24)00338-3. [PMID: 38795939 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2024.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Most working-age (18-64) adults have been infected with SARS-CoV-2, and some may have developed post-COVID-19 condition (PCC). However, long-term health-related quality of life (HRQOL) following infection remains uncharacterized. METHODS In this cross-sectional study, COVID-19 survivors from throughout British Columbia (BC), Canada, completed a questionnaire >2 years after infection. PCC status was self-reported, and HRQOL was assessed using the EuroQol 5-dimension 5-level (EQ-5D-5L) instrument. We compared HRQOL in those with current PCC, those with recovered PCC, and those without a history of PCC. Multivariable analyses were weighted to be representative of COVID-19 survivors in BC. RESULTS Of the 1,135 analyzed participants, 19.2% had current PCC, and 27.6% had recovered PCC. Compared to those without a history of PCC, participants with recovered PCC had a similar mean EQ-5D health utility (adjusted difference -0.02 [95%CI -0.03, 0.00]), but those with current PCC had a lower health utility (adjusted difference -0.08 [95%CI -0.12, -0.05]). Participants with current PCC were also more likely to report problems with mobility (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 6.00 [95%CI 2.88-12.52]), self-care (aOR 5.96 [95%CI 1.84-19.32]), usual activities (aOR 8.00 [95%CI 4.27-14.99]), pain/discomfort (aOR 4.28 [95%CI 2.46-7.48]), and anxiety/depression (aOR 3.45 [95%CI 1.90-6.27]). CONCLUSIONS In working-age adults who have survived >2 years following COVID-19, HRQOL is high among those who never had PCC or have recovered from PCC. However, individuals with ongoing symptoms have lower HRQOL and are more likely to have functional deficits. These findings underscore the importance of implementing targeted healthcare interventions to improve HRQOL in adults with long-term PCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hiten Naik
- Department of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Post-COVID-19 Interdisciplinary Clinical Care Network, Provincial Health Services Authority, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
| | - James Wilton
- BC Centre for Disease Control, Provincial Health Services Authority, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Karen C Tran
- Department of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Post-COVID-19 Interdisciplinary Clinical Care Network, Provincial Health Services Authority, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Centre for Advancing Health Outcomes, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Naveed Zafar Janjua
- Centre for Advancing Health Outcomes, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; BC Centre for Disease Control, Provincial Health Services Authority, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; School of Population and Public Health, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Adeera Levin
- Department of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Post-COVID-19 Interdisciplinary Clinical Care Network, Provincial Health Services Authority, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Centre for Advancing Health Outcomes, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Wei Zhang
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Centre for Advancing Health Outcomes, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Diexer S, Klee B, Gottschick C, Broda A, Purschke O, Binder M, Gekle M, Girndt M, Hoell JI, Moor I, Sedding D, Rosendahl J, Mikolajczyk R. Insights into early recovery from Long COVID-results from the German DigiHero Cohort. Sci Rep 2024; 14:8569. [PMID: 38609482 PMCID: PMC11015032 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-59122-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
65 million people worldwide are estimated to suffer from long-term symptoms after their SARS-CoV-2 infection (Long COVID). However, there is still little information about the early recovery among those who initially developed Long COVID, i.e. had symptoms 4-12 weeks after infection but no symptoms after 12 weeks. We aimed to identify associated factors with this early recovery. We used data from SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals from the DigiHero study. Participants provided information about their SARS-CoV-2 infections and symptoms at the time of infection, 4-12 weeks, and more than 12 weeks post-infection. We performed multivariable logistic regression to identify factors associated with early recovery from Long COVID and principal component analysis (PCA) to identify groups among symptoms. 5098 participants reported symptoms at 4-12 weeks after their SARS-CoV-2 infection, of which 2441 (48%) reported no symptoms after 12 weeks. Men, younger participants, individuals with mild course of acute infection, individuals infected with the Omicron variant, and individuals who did not seek medical care in the 4-12 week period after infection had a higher chance of early recovery. In the PCA, we identified four distinct symptom groups. Our results indicate differential risk of continuing symptoms among individuals who developed Long COVID. The identified risk factors are similar to those for the development of Long COVID, so people with these characteristics are at higher risk not only for developing Long COVID, but also for longer persistence of symptoms. Those who sought medical help were also more likely to have persistent symptoms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Diexer
- Institute for Medical Epidemiology, Biometrics and Informatics (IMEBI), Interdisciplinary Centre for Health Sciences, Medical Faculty of the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 8, 06112, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Bianca Klee
- Institute for Medical Epidemiology, Biometrics and Informatics (IMEBI), Interdisciplinary Centre for Health Sciences, Medical Faculty of the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 8, 06112, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Cornelia Gottschick
- Institute for Medical Epidemiology, Biometrics and Informatics (IMEBI), Interdisciplinary Centre for Health Sciences, Medical Faculty of the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 8, 06112, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Anja Broda
- Institute for Medical Epidemiology, Biometrics and Informatics (IMEBI), Interdisciplinary Centre for Health Sciences, Medical Faculty of the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 8, 06112, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Oliver Purschke
- Institute for Medical Epidemiology, Biometrics and Informatics (IMEBI), Interdisciplinary Centre for Health Sciences, Medical Faculty of the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 8, 06112, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Mascha Binder
- Department of Internal Medicine IV, Oncology/Haematology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, 06120, Halle (Saale), Germany
- Division of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland, Petersgraben 4, 4031, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Michael Gekle
- Julius-Bernstein-Institute of Physiology, Medical Faculty of the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 6, 06110, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Matthias Girndt
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, 06120, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Jessica I Hoell
- Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, 06120, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Irene Moor
- Institute for Medical Sociology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 8, 06112, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Daniel Sedding
- Mid-German Heart Centre, Department of Cardiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, 06120, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Jonas Rosendahl
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, 06120, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Rafael Mikolajczyk
- Institute for Medical Epidemiology, Biometrics and Informatics (IMEBI), Interdisciplinary Centre for Health Sciences, Medical Faculty of the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 8, 06112, Halle (Saale), Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Klee B, Costa D, Frese T, Knoechelmann A, Meyer G, Meyer T, Purschke O, Schildmann J, Steckelberg A, Mikolajczyk R. To Remind or Not to Remind During Recruitment? An Analysis of an Online Panel in Germany. Int J Public Health 2024; 69:1606770. [PMID: 38586472 PMCID: PMC10996063 DOI: 10.3389/ijph.2024.1606770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective: To explore the role of reminders in recruiting and maintaining participation in an online panel. Methods: 50,045 individuals from five German federal states were invited by regular mail to participate in the online study "Health-Related Beliefs and Healthcare Experiences in Germany." Those who did not respond to the first attempt received a postal reminder. Comparisons of sociodemographic characteristics and responses were made between first-attempt respondents and those who enrolled after the second letter. Results: After the initial letter, 2,216 (4.4%, 95%CI: 4.3%-4.6%) registered for the study; after a reminder 1,130 (2.5%, 2.3%-2.6% of those reminded) enrolled. Minor sociodemographic differences were observed between the groups and the content of the responses did not differ. Second-attempt respondents were less likely to participate in subsequent questionnaires: 67.3% of first-attempt vs. 43.3% of second-attempt respondents participated in their fourth survey. Recruitment costs were 79% higher for second-attempt respondents. Conclusion: While reminders increased the number of participants, lower cost-effectiveness and higher attrition of second-attempt respondents support the use of single invitation only for studies with a similar design to ours when the overall participation is low.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Klee
- Institute for Medical Epidemiology, Biometrics and Informatics, Interdisciplinary Centre for Health Sciences, Medical Faculty of the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany
| | - Daniela Costa
- Institute for Medical Epidemiology, Biometrics and Informatics, Interdisciplinary Centre for Health Sciences, Medical Faculty of the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany
| | - Thomas Frese
- Institute for General Medicine, Interdisciplinary Centre for Health Sciences, Medical Faculty of the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany
| | - Anja Knoechelmann
- Institute of Medical Sociology, Interdisciplinary Centre for Health Sciences, Medical Faculty of the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany
| | - Gabriele Meyer
- Institute for Health and Nursing Sciences, Interdisciplinary Centre for Health Sciences, Medical Faculty of the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany
| | - Thorsten Meyer
- Institute for Rehabilitation Medicine, Interdisciplinary Centre for Health Sciences, Medical Faculty of the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany
| | - Oliver Purschke
- Institute for Medical Epidemiology, Biometrics and Informatics, Interdisciplinary Centre for Health Sciences, Medical Faculty of the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany
| | - Jan Schildmann
- Institute for History and Ethics of Medicine, Interdisciplinary Centre for Health Sciences, Medical Faculty of the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany
| | - Anke Steckelberg
- Institute for Health and Nursing Sciences, Interdisciplinary Centre for Health Sciences, Medical Faculty of the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany
| | - Rafael Mikolajczyk
- Institute for Medical Epidemiology, Biometrics and Informatics, Interdisciplinary Centre for Health Sciences, Medical Faculty of the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Gheorghita R, Soldanescu I, Lobiuc A, Caliman Sturdza OA, Filip R, Constantinescu – Bercu A, Dimian M, Mangul S, Covasa M. The knowns and unknowns of long COVID-19: from mechanisms to therapeutical approaches. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1344086. [PMID: 38500880 PMCID: PMC10944866 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1344086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has been defined as the greatest global health and socioeconomic crisis of modern times. While most people recover after being infected with the virus, a significant proportion of them continue to experience health issues weeks, months and even years after acute infection with SARS-CoV-2. This persistence of clinical symptoms in infected individuals for at least three months after the onset of the disease or the emergence of new symptoms lasting more than two months, without any other explanation and alternative diagnosis have been named long COVID, long-haul COVID, post-COVID-19 conditions, chronic COVID, or post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC). Long COVID has been characterized as a constellation of symptoms and disorders that vary widely in their manifestations. Further, the mechanisms underlying long COVID are not fully understood, which hamper efficient treatment options. This review describes predictors and the most common symptoms related to long COVID's effects on the central and peripheral nervous system and other organs and tissues. Furthermore, the transcriptional markers, molecular signaling pathways and risk factors for long COVID, such as sex, age, pre-existing condition, hospitalization during acute phase of COVID-19, vaccination, and lifestyle are presented. Finally, recommendations for patient rehabilitation and disease management, as well as alternative therapeutical approaches to long COVID sequelae are discussed. Understanding the complexity of this disease, its symptoms across multiple organ systems and overlapping pathologies and its possible mechanisms are paramount in developing diagnostic tools and treatments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roxana Gheorghita
- Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine and Biological Science, University of Suceava, Suceava, Romania
| | - Iuliana Soldanescu
- Integrated Center for Research, Development and Innovation for Advanced Materials, Nanotechnologies, Manufacturing and Control Distributed Systems (MANSiD), University of Suceava, Suceava, Romania
| | - Andrei Lobiuc
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine and Biological Science, University of Suceava, Suceava, Romania
| | - Olga Adriana Caliman Sturdza
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine and Biological Science, University of Suceava, Suceava, Romania
- Suceava Emergency Clinical County Hospital, Suceava, Romania
| | - Roxana Filip
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine and Biological Science, University of Suceava, Suceava, Romania
- Suceava Emergency Clinical County Hospital, Suceava, Romania
| | - Adela Constantinescu – Bercu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine and Biological Science, University of Suceava, Suceava, Romania
- Institute of Cardiovascular Science, Hemostasis Research Unit, University College London (UCL), London, United Kingdom
| | - Mihai Dimian
- Integrated Center for Research, Development and Innovation for Advanced Materials, Nanotechnologies, Manufacturing and Control Distributed Systems (MANSiD), University of Suceava, Suceava, Romania
- Department of Computer, Electronics and Automation, University of Suceava, Suceava, Romania
| | - Serghei Mangul
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, USC Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Quantitative and Computational Biology, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Mihai Covasa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine and Biological Science, University of Suceava, Suceava, Romania
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Western University of Health Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Pomona, CA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Schurr M, Junne F, Martus P, Paul G, Jürgensen JS, Allwang C, Binneböse M, Wallis H, Mikolajczyk R, Galante-Gottschalk A, Zipfel S, Ehehalt S, Giel KE. SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with physical but not mental fatigue - Findings from a longitudinal controlled population-based study. J Psychosom Res 2024; 178:111598. [PMID: 38277895 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2024.111598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/20/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Fatigue has been identified as the core symptom of long-Covid, however, putative pandemic-related influences remain largely unclear. We investigated trajectories of total, physical and mental fatigue and the factors associated with it in previously infected and non-infected individuals up to one year post- infection. METHODS We used data from a longitudinal cohort study of German adults with two samples: A representative probability sample and a sample of individuals with proven SARS-CoV-2 infection. Surveys were conducted in spring 2020(T1), autumn 2020(T2) and summer 2021(T3). Fatigue was assessed using the FAS, distinguishes between physical and mental fatigue. Depression, anxiety and stress were assessed using PHQ-4 and PSQ. RESULTS 1990 participants [mean age 47.2 (SD = 17.0), 30.5% previously infected] were included in the survey at T1 (n = 1118 at T2, n = 692 at T3). Total and physical fatigue, but not mental fatigue were significantly higher in the previously infected compared to the non-infected sample at T2, but this group difference disappeared at T3. We identified Covid-infection as a factor associated with transient total and physical fatigue at T2. Depression, anxiety and stress at T1 were associated with total, physical and mental fatigue at both follow-ups. CONCLUSIONS Our results highlight the importance of considering physical and mental fatigue as separate entities, while suggesting a greater relevance of the physical signs of fatigue in understanding long-Covid. The results further showed that baseline mental health symptoms were the most strongly associated with fatigue trajectories.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marisa Schurr
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Medical University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.
| | - Florian Junne
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Medical University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany; Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Peter Martus
- Institute for Clinical Epidemiology and applied Biostatistics, University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Gregor Paul
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Pneumology and Infectious Diseases, Klinikum Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany; Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | | | - Christine Allwang
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Marius Binneböse
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Hannah Wallis
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Rafael Mikolajczyk
- Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Interdisciplinary Center for Health Sciences; Institute of Medical Epidemiology, Biometrics and Informatics, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | | | - Stephan Zipfel
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Medical University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany; German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), Germany
| | - Stefan Ehehalt
- Public Health Department, State Capital-City Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Katrin Elisabeth Giel
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Medical University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany; German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), Germany
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Li G, Wu J, Huang Y, Wang Q, Xing T, Ou T. Risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia among renal transplant recipients in Beijing Omicron wave. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0300523. [PMID: 38230924 PMCID: PMC10846129 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03005-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024] Open
Abstract
The novel coronavirus disease-19 had become an unprecedented global health emergency, quickly expanding worldwide. Omicron (B.1.1.529), as a novel variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was initially identified in South Africa and Botswana. Renal transplant recipients (RTRs) are a special group and are more vulnerable to viral pneumonia. Thus, this study aimed to assess the incidence and risk factors of SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia that occurred in RTRs with Omicron infection. This single-center case-control study enrolled the RTRs who were diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection by the SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid test, which were divided into two groups according to the imaging features of SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia. The parameters were collected by questionnaires and analyzed using Statistical Product and Service Solutions. A total of 313 RTRs completed the questionnaires, and 131 were enrolled in this study with a mean age of 42.66 years. The incidence of SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia among the enrolled participants was 76.3%. The first symptoms included fever (89.3%), cough (93.1%), and expectoration (81.7%). From the comparison, the parameters such as age, gender, body mass index, lymphocyte count, and the percent of neutrophils and the basic serum creatinine before SARS-CoV-2 infection were significantly different between the two groups (P < 0.05). In multivariate analysis, age and the basic serum creatinine were independent risk factors for developing SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia (P < 0.05). Older RTRs with a high level of serum creatinine before SARS-CoV-2 infection were more at risk of developing SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia. More randomized controlled studies are needed.IMPORTANCEThis study aimed to assess the incidence and the risk factors of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pneumonia that occurred in renal transplant recipients (RTRs) with Omicron infection. In conclusion, older RTRs with a high level of serum creatinine before SARS-CoV-2 infection were more at risk of developing SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia and should be timely treated, in case of severe pneumonia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guangping Li
- Department of Urology, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jiangtao Wu
- Department of Urology, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Huang
- Department of Urology, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Qi Wang
- Department of Urology, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Tianying Xing
- Department of Urology, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Tongwen Ou
- Department of Urology, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Fischer C, Willscher E, Paschold L, Gottschick C, Klee B, Diexer S, Bosurgi L, Dutzmann J, Sedding D, Frese T, Girndt M, Hoell JI, Gekle M, Addo MM, Schulze Zur Wiesch J, Mikolajczyk R, Binder M, Schultheiß C. SARS-CoV-2 vaccination may mitigate dysregulation of IL-1/IL-18 and gastrointestinal symptoms of the post-COVID-19 condition. NPJ Vaccines 2024; 9:23. [PMID: 38316833 PMCID: PMC10844289 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-024-00815-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
The rapid development of safe and effective vaccines helped to prevent severe disease courses after SARS-CoV-2 infection and to mitigate the progression of the COVID-19 pandemic. While there is evidence that vaccination may reduce the risk of developing post-COVID-19 conditions (PCC), this effect may depend on the viral variant. Therapeutic effects of post-infection vaccination have been discussed but the data for individuals with PCC remains inconclusive. In addition, extremely rare side effects after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination may resemble the heterogeneous PCC phenotype. Here, we analyze the plasma levels of 25 cytokines and SARS-CoV-2 directed antibodies in 540 individuals with or without PCC relative to one or two mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccinations as well as in 20 uninfected individuals one month after their initial mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccination. While none of the SARS-CoV-2 naïve individuals reported any persisting sequelae or exhibited PCC-like dysregulation of plasma cytokines, we detected lower levels of IL-1β and IL-18 in patients with ongoing PCC who received one or two vaccinations at a median of six months after infection as compared to unvaccinated PCC patients. This reduction correlated with less frequent reporting of persisting gastrointestinal symptoms. These data suggest that post-infection vaccination in patients with PCC might be beneficial in a subgroup of individuals displaying gastrointestinal symptoms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Fischer
- Division of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Laboratory of Translational Immuno-Oncology, Department of Biomedicine, University, and University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Edith Willscher
- Department of Internal Medicine IV, Oncology/Hematology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, (Saale), Germany
| | - Lisa Paschold
- Department of Internal Medicine IV, Oncology/Hematology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, (Saale), Germany
| | - Cornelia Gottschick
- Institute for Medical Epidemiology, Biometrics, and Informatics (IMEBI), Interdisciplinary Center for Health Sciences, Medical School of the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, (Saale), Germany
| | - Bianca Klee
- Institute for Medical Epidemiology, Biometrics, and Informatics (IMEBI), Interdisciplinary Center for Health Sciences, Medical School of the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, (Saale), Germany
| | - Sophie Diexer
- Institute for Medical Epidemiology, Biometrics, and Informatics (IMEBI), Interdisciplinary Center for Health Sciences, Medical School of the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, (Saale), Germany
| | - Lidia Bosurgi
- I. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Protozoa Immunology, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jochen Dutzmann
- Mid-German Heart Center, Department of Cardiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, (Saale), Germany
| | - Daniel Sedding
- Mid-German Heart Center, Department of Cardiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, (Saale), Germany
| | - Thomas Frese
- Institute of General Practice and Family Medicine, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, (Saale), Germany
| | - Matthias Girndt
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, (Saale), Germany
| | - Jessica I Hoell
- Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, (Saale), Germany
| | - Michael Gekle
- Julius Bernstein-Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, (Saale), Germany
| | - Marylyn M Addo
- I. Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, Braunschweig, Germany
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Institute for Infection Research and Vaccine Development (IIRVD), Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Rafael Mikolajczyk
- Institute for Medical Epidemiology, Biometrics, and Informatics (IMEBI), Interdisciplinary Center for Health Sciences, Medical School of the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, (Saale), Germany
| | - Mascha Binder
- Division of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Laboratory of Translational Immuno-Oncology, Department of Biomedicine, University, and University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christoph Schultheiß
- Division of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
- Laboratory of Translational Immuno-Oncology, Department of Biomedicine, University, and University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Mead MN, Seneff S, Wolfinger R, Rose J, Denhaerynck K, Kirsch S, McCullough PA. COVID-19 mRNA Vaccines: Lessons Learned from the Registrational Trials and Global Vaccination Campaign. Cureus 2024; 16:e52876. [PMID: 38274635 PMCID: PMC10810638 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.52876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Our understanding of COVID-19 vaccinations and their impact on health and mortality has evolved substantially since the first vaccine rollouts. Published reports from the original randomized phase 3 trials concluded that the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines could greatly reduce COVID-19 symptoms. In the interim, problems with the methods, execution, and reporting of these pivotal trials have emerged. Re-analysis of the Pfizer trial data identified statistically significant increases in serious adverse events (SAEs) in the vaccine group. Numerous SAEs were identified following the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA), including death, cancer, cardiac events, and various autoimmune, hematological, reproductive, and neurological disorders. Furthermore, these products never underwent adequate safety and toxicological testing in accordance with previously established scientific standards. Among the other major topics addressed in this narrative review are the published analyses of serious harms to humans, quality control issues and process-related impurities, mechanisms underlying adverse events (AEs), the immunologic basis for vaccine inefficacy, and concerning mortality trends based on the registrational trial data. The risk-benefit imbalance substantiated by the evidence to date contraindicates further booster injections and suggests that, at a minimum, the mRNA injections should be removed from the childhood immunization program until proper safety and toxicological studies are conducted. Federal agency approval of the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines on a blanket-coverage population-wide basis had no support from an honest assessment of all relevant registrational data and commensurate consideration of risks versus benefits. Given the extensive, well-documented SAEs and unacceptably high harm-to-reward ratio, we urge governments to endorse a global moratorium on the modified mRNA products until all relevant questions pertaining to causality, residual DNA, and aberrant protein production are answered.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Nathaniel Mead
- Biology and Nutritional Epidemiology, Independent Research, Copper Hill, USA
| | - Stephanie Seneff
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, USA
| | - Russ Wolfinger
- Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Independent Research, Research Triangle Park, USA
| | - Jessica Rose
- Immunology and Public Health Research, Independent Research, Ottawa, CAN
| | - Kris Denhaerynck
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Independent Research, Basel, CHE
| | - Steve Kirsch
- Data Science, Independent Research, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Peter A McCullough
- Cardiology, Epidemiology, and Public Health, McCullough Foundation, Dallas, USA
- Cardiology, Epidemiology, and Public Health, Truth for Health Foundation, Tucson, USA
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Agergaard J, Gunst JD, Schiøttz-Christensen B, Østergaard L, Wejse C. Long-term prognosis at 1.5 years after infection with wild-type strain of SARS-CoV-2 and Alpha, Delta, as well as Omicron variants. Int J Infect Dis 2023; 137:126-133. [PMID: 37907167 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2023.10.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Knowledge is limited on how changing SARS-CoV-2 variants may translate into different characteristics and affect the prognosis of patients with long COVID, especially following Omicron variants. We compared long-term prognosis of patients in a Danish Post-COVID Clinic infected with wild-type strain, Alpha, Delta, or Omicron variants as well as the pre-Omicron compared to the Omicron period. METHODS At enrollment, a Post-COVID symptom Questionnaire (PCQ), and standard health scores, were registered and repeated four times until 1.5 years after infection. PCQ was the primary outcome to assess the severity of long COVID, and Delta PCQ to assess failure to improve. RESULTS A total of 806 patients were enrolled. Patients infected with Omicron and Delta variants presented with more severe long COVID (median PCQ 43 in Delta vs 38 in wild-type, P = 0.003) and health scores (EuroQol five-dimension five-level-index was 0.70 in Omicron vs 0.76 in wild-type, P = 0.009 and 0.78 pre-Omicron, P = 0.006). At 1.5 years after infection, patients had no clinically meaningful decline in severity of long COVID, and 57% (245/429) of patients failed to improve 1.5 years after infection, with no differences between variants. CONCLUSION More than half of patients referred to a Post-COVID Clinic failed to improve in long COVID severity 1.5 years after infection regardless of variants of SARS-CoV-2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jane Agergaard
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus N, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus N, Denmark.
| | | | - Berit Schiøttz-Christensen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus N, Denmark; Research Unit of General Practice, University of Southern Denmark, Odense M, Denmark
| | - Lars Østergaard
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus N, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Christian Wejse
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus N, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus N, Denmark; Center of Global Health, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|