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Lofrano-Porto A, D’Isabel S, Smith DL. Developing a clinical-pathological framework of long COVID-related fatigue applied to public safety workers. Front Med (Lausanne) 2024; 11:1387499. [PMID: 39086937 PMCID: PMC11288841 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1387499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, millions worldwide are still struggling with persistent or recurring symptoms known as long COVID. Fatigue is one of the most prevalent symptoms associated with long COVID, and for many it can be debilitating. Understanding the potential pathological processes that link fatigue to long COVID is critical to better guide treatment. Challenges with diagnosis and treatment are reviewed, recognizing that post-COVID fatigue does not always present with corroborating clinical evidence, a situation that is frustrating for both patients and healthcare providers. Firefighters are a group of public safety workers who are particularly impacted by long COVID-related fatigue. Firefighters must be able to engage in strenuous physical activity and deal with demanding psychological situations, both of which may be difficult for those suffering from fatigue. Disruption in public safety worker health can potentially impact community welfare. This review creates a framework to explain the clinical-pathological features of fatigue resulting from long COVID, addresses diagnosis and treatment challenges, and explores the unique impact fatigue may pose for public safety workers and their organizations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Lofrano-Porto
- Molecular Pharmacology Laboratory, Health Sciences School, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
- Endocrine Diseases Clinics, University Hospital of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Susanne D’Isabel
- First Responder Health and Safety Laboratory, Department of Health and Human Physiological Sciences, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY, United States
| | - Denise L. Smith
- First Responder Health and Safety Laboratory, Department of Health and Human Physiological Sciences, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY, United States
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McDonald VM, Gibson PG. Treatable traits-Where we are, where we are headed. Respirology 2024; 29:539-541. [PMID: 38804093 DOI: 10.1111/resp.14758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Marie McDonald
- Centre of Excellence in Treatable Traits, College of Health Medical and Wellbeing, New Lambton, New South Wales, Australia
- Asthma and Breathing Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, New South Wales, Australia
- Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, John Hunter Hospital, New Lambton, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Peter Gerard Gibson
- Centre of Excellence in Treatable Traits, College of Health Medical and Wellbeing, New Lambton, New South Wales, Australia
- Asthma and Breathing Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, New South Wales, Australia
- Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, John Hunter Hospital, New Lambton, New South Wales, Australia
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Dietz TK, Brondstater KN. Long COVID management: a mini review of current recommendations and underutilized modalities. Front Med (Lausanne) 2024; 11:1430444. [PMID: 38947233 PMCID: PMC11211541 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1430444] [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: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Long COVID is a condition that develops in a subset of patients after COVID-19 infection comprising of symptoms of varying severity encompassing multiple organ systems. Currently, long COVID is without consensus on a formal definition, identifiable biomarkers, and validated treatment. Long COVID is expected to be a long-term chronic condition for a subset of patients and is associated with suffering and incapacity. There is an urgent need for clear management guidelines for the primary care provider, who is essential in bridging the gap with more specialized care to improve quality of life and functionality in their patients living with long COVID. The purpose of this mini review is to provide primary care providers with the latest highlights from existing literature regarding the most common long COVID symptoms and current management recommendations. This review also highlights the underutilized interventions of stellate ganglion blocks and low-dose naltrexone, both with well-established safety profiles demonstrated to improve quality of life and functionality for patients suffering with some symptoms of long COVID, and encourages prompt referral to interventional pain management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany K. Dietz
- School of Health Professions, Shenandoah University, Winchester, VA, United States
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Abo Elyazed TI, Abd El-Hakim AAEM, Saleh OI, Sonbol MMF, Eid HA, Moazen E, Alhassoon MH, Elfeky SEF. Diaphragmatic strengthening exercises for patients with post COVID-19 condition after mild-to-moderate acute COVID-19 infection: a randomized controlled study. J Rehabil Med 2024; 56:jrm25491. [PMID: 38860716 PMCID: PMC11182030 DOI: 10.2340/jrm.v56.25491] [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: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the clinical effects of incentive spirometry (IS) and diaphragmatic breathing (DB) in patients with post COVID-19 condition and diaphragmatic dysfunction as compared with the standard care alone. METHODS The present longitudinal randomized study included 60 patients with post COVID-19 condition and diaphragmatic dysfunction. Patients were equally randomized to receive standard care plus IS (G1), standard care plus DB (G2) or standard care alone (G3) for 8 weeks. The primary outcome is clinical improvement as evaluated by the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnoea scale. RESULTS Comparison between the studied groups revealed significant improvement in G1 and G2 in all parameters at the end of follow-up. However, no significant improvement was found in G3. At the end of follow-up, 15 patients (75.0%) in G1, 11 patients (55.0%) in G2, and 3 patients (15.0%) in G3 showed improvement on the mMRC dyspnoea scale. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified mild acute COVID-19 infection (p = 0.009), use of IS (p < 0.001), and use of DB (p = 0.023) as significant predictors of improvement on the mMRC dyspnoea scale. CONCLUSIONS IS or DB training in addition to the standard care in post COVID-19 condition was associated with better clinical improvement as compared with the standard care alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamer I Abo Elyazed
- Physical Therapy For Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Beni-Suef University, Ben-Suef, Egypt
| | | | - Ola I Saleh
- Diagnostic Radiology Department, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | | | - Hoda Assad Eid
- Chest Diseases Department, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Eman Moazen
- Chest Diseases Department, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt.
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Dehhaghi M, Heydari M, Panahi HKS, Lewin SR, Heng B, Brew BJ, Guillemin GJ. The roles of the kynurenine pathway in COVID-19 neuropathogenesis. Infection 2024:10.1007/s15010-024-02293-y. [PMID: 38802702 DOI: 10.1007/s15010-024-02293-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent of the highly contagious respiratory disease Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) that may lead to various neurological and psychological disorders that can be acute, lasting days to weeks or months and possibly longer. The latter is known as long-COVID or more recently post-acute sequelae of COVID (PASC). During acute COVID-19 infection, a strong inflammatory response, known as the cytokine storm, occurs in some patients. The levels of interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interferon-β (IFN-β), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) are particularly increased. These cytokines are known to activate the enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO-1), catalysing the first step of tryptophan (Trp) catabolism through the kynurenine pathway (KP) leading to the production of several neurotoxic and immunosuppressive metabolites. There is already data showing elevation in KP metabolites both acutely and in PASC, especially regarding cognitive impairment. Thus, it is likely that KP involvement is significant in SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis especially neurologically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona Dehhaghi
- Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Mostafa Heydari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamed Kazemi Shariat Panahi
- Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Sharon R Lewin
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Service, The Royal Melbourne Hospital at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred Hospital and Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Benjamin Heng
- Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Bruce J Brew
- Peter Duncan Neurosciences Unit, St. Vincent's Centre for Applied Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia.
- Departments of Neurology and Immunology, St. Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
- University of Notre Dame, Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Gilles J Guillemin
- Peter Duncan Neurosciences Unit, St. Vincent's Centre for Applied Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Institut Pertanian Bogor University, Bogor, Indonesia
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McDonald VM, Hamada Y, Agusti A, Gibson PG. Treatable Traits in Asthma: The Importance of Extrapulmonary Traits-GERD, CRSwNP, Atopic Dermatitis, and Depression/Anxiety. THE JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY. IN PRACTICE 2024; 12:824-837. [PMID: 38278324 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2024.01.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
Treatable traits is a personalized medicine approach to the management of airway disease. Assessing traits within the 3 domains of pulmonary, extrapulmonary, and behavioral/lifestyle/risk factor traits, and applying targeted treatments to effectively manage these traits, enables a holistic and personalized approach to care. Asthma is a heterogeneous and complex airway disease that is frequently complicated by several extrapulmonary traits that impact asthma outcomes and predict future outcomes. We propose that the identification of extrapulmonary and behavioral risk factor traits and the implementation of targeted therapy will lead to improved management of people with asthma. Furthermore, many extrapulmonary traits present as "connected comorbidities"; that is, they coexist with asthma, have an impact on asthma, and effective treatment improves both asthma and the comorbidity or the comorbidities may share a similar mechanism. In this review, we explore this concept and look at atopic dermatitis, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, gastroesophageal reflux disease, anxiety, and depression as treatable traits of asthma and how these can be managed using this approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa M McDonald
- Centre of Excellence in Treatable Traits, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia; Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, John Hunter Hospital, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia.
| | - Yuto Hamada
- Centre of Excellence in Treatable Traits, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia; Clinical Research Center for Allergy and Rheumatology, National Hospital Organization Sagamihara National Hospital, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Alvar Agusti
- Respiratory Institute, Hospital Clinic, Universitat de Barcelona, IDIBAPS, CIBERES, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Peter G Gibson
- Centre of Excellence in Treatable Traits, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia; Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, John Hunter Hospital, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
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McDonald VM, Holland AE. Treatable traits models of care. Respirology 2024; 29:24-35. [PMID: 38087840 DOI: 10.1111/resp.14644] [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: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/22/2023]
Abstract
Treatable traits is a personalized approach to the management of respiratory disease. The approach involves a multidimensional assessment to understand the traits present in individual patients. Traits are phenotypic and endotypic characteristics that can be identified, are clinically relevant and can be successfully treated by therapy to improve clinical outcomes. Identification of traits is followed by individualized and targeted treatment to those traits. First proposed for the management of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) the approach is recommended in many other areas of respiratory and now immunology medicine. Models of care for treatable traits have been proposed in different diseases and health care setting. In asthma and COPD traits are identified in three domains including pulmonary, extrapulmonary and behavioural/lifestyle/risk-factors. In bronchiectasis and interstitial lung disease, a fourth domain of aetiological traits has been proposed. As the core of treatable traits is personalized and individualized medicine; there are several key aspects to treatable traits models of care that should be considered in the delivery of care. These include person centredness, consideration of patients' values, needs and preferences, health literacy and engagement. We review the models of care that have been proposed and provide guidance on the engagement of patients in this approach to care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa M McDonald
- Centre of Excellence in Treatable Traits, National Health and Medical Research Council, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, New Lambton Heights, New South Wales, Australia
- Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, John Hunter Hospital, New Lambton Heights, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Anne E Holland
- Centre of Excellence in Treatable Traits, National Health and Medical Research Council, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
- Department of Immunology, Respiratory Research@Alfred, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Institute for Breathing and Sleep, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Physiotherapy, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Boehmeke T. Reduced Fatigue Symptoms in the Post-COVID Syndrome With Amifampridine: A Collective Casuistry With Double-Blind Discontinuation Trials. Cureus 2024; 16:e52935. [PMID: 38406122 PMCID: PMC10893954 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.52935] [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: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
After a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, approximately 10-20% of patients are affected by the post-COVID syndrome (PCS). This condition leads to a variety of functional complaints, including symptoms of fatigue. To date, there is still no adequate treatment option. Five patients are presented, including the self-observation of one of the authors, in whom the administration of amifampridine as an "off-label use" led to a normalization of the unphysiologically increased need for sleep with a simultaneous increase in the Bell score. This effect was confirmed in a double-blind discontinuation trial (the medication was discontinued on a trial basis) in two of the patients. The five patients, who were previously unable to lead a normal life due to their fatigue symptoms, were able to return to everyday life after treatment with amifampridine. This offers hope to millions of affected patients.
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