1
|
Khan M, Majeed S, Ain Q, Nawaz A, Sumra KA, Lammi V, Nihal F, Afrah A, Khan EA, Khan MI, Sadiq F. Long COVID in Pakistan: a cross-sectional analysis of health and psychosocial outcomes. PSYCHOL HEALTH MED 2024; 29:1250-1264. [PMID: 38151820 DOI: 10.1080/13548506.2023.2297748] [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: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
According to the World Health Organization-led Delphi consensus, long COVID corresponds to the occurrence of symptoms beyond twelve weeks after the onset of acute COVID-19 illness that cannot be explained by alternate diagnosis. This cross-sectional study aimed to analyse the impacts of long COVID on general health and psychosocial well-being. For this study, the participants were interviewed either face to face or via telephone, and their responses were recorded on a questionnaire capturing information on demographics, COVID-19 status, duration of symptoms and long COVID symptoms. The psychosocial impacts of the pandemic were assessed using scales like Short Mood and feeling questionnaire (sMFQ), Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS), Generalized Anxiety Disorder Assessment (GAD-7) and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Regression analysis was conducted to analyse the predictors of long COVID. A total of 300 participants were interviewed, of which 155 (52%) had COVID-19 illness. Of these 54 (35%) had persistent symptoms for a period of more than 12 weeks classified as long COVID. Muscle problems and fatigue were the most frequent (14.7%) symptoms encountered, followed by breathing problems (12.6%) and cognitive issues (12.6%). The symptoms of decrease in appetite and confusion or disorientation during the initial phase of the infection were associated with long COVID. The majority of the participants (83.3%) had moderate level of perceived stress, while moderate to severe levels of stress were observed in 17.3% of the individuals. Moreover, a high level of positive mental well-being was also observed. This study highlights the need for further research into the clinical aspects and implications of long COVID in Pakistan and emphasizes the importance of ongoing support for affected individuals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Madeeha Khan
- Directorate of Research, Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Sadaf Majeed
- Department of Physiology, Shifa College of Medicine, Shifa Tameer e Millat University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Quratul Ain
- Directorate of Research, Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Amjad Nawaz
- Directorate of Research, Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | | | - Vilma Lammi
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Faizan Nihal
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Aleena Afrah
- Department of Psychology, University of Wah, Wah Cantt, Pakistan
| | - Ejaz Ahmed Khan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Mohammad Iqbal Khan
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Fouzia Sadiq
- Directorate of Research, Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ferous S, Siafakas N, Boufidou F, Patrinos GP, Tsakris A, Anastassopoulou C. Investigating ABO Blood Groups and Secretor Status in Relation to SARS-CoV-2 Infection and COVID-19 Severity. J Pers Med 2024; 14:346. [PMID: 38672973 PMCID: PMC11051264 DOI: 10.3390/jpm14040346] [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: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The ABO blood groups, Lewis antigens, and secretor systems are important components of transfusion medicine. These interconnected systems have been also shown to be associated with differing susceptibility to bacterial and viral infections, likely as the result of selection over the course of evolution and the constant tug of war between humans and infectious microbes. This comprehensive narrative review aimed to explore the literature and to present the current state of knowledge on reported associations of the ABO, Lewis, and secretor blood groups with SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 severity. Our main finding was that the A blood group may be associated with increased susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection, and possibly also with increased disease severity and overall mortality. The proposed pathophysiological pathways explaining this potential association include antibody-mediated mechanisms and increased thrombotic risk amongst blood group A individuals, in addition to altered inflammatory cytokine expression profiles. Preliminary evidence does not support the association between ABO blood groups and COVID-19 vaccine response, or the risk of developing long COVID. Even though the emergency state of the pandemic is over, further research is needed especially in this area since tens of millions of people worldwide suffer from lingering COVID-19 symptoms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefanos Ferous
- Department of Microbiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Street, 11527 Athens, Greece; (S.F.); (A.T.)
| | - Nikolaos Siafakas
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Attikon General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece;
| | - Fotini Boufidou
- Neurochemistry and Biological Markers Unit, 1st Department of Neurology, Eginition Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11528 Athens, Greece;
| | - George P. Patrinos
- Laboratory of Pharmacogenomics and Individualized Therapy, Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece;
- Zayed Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Genetics and Genomics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
| | - Athanasios Tsakris
- Department of Microbiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Street, 11527 Athens, Greece; (S.F.); (A.T.)
| | - Cleo Anastassopoulou
- Department of Microbiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Street, 11527 Athens, Greece; (S.F.); (A.T.)
| |
Collapse
|